BILL REQ. #:  S-1356.1 

Read first time 02/05/2007.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to modification of the higher education coordinating board; amending RCW 28B.76.050, 28B.76.090, and 28B.76.210; repealing RCW 28B.76.100; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 28B.76.050 and 2004 c 275 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     The members of the board, except ((the chair serving on June 13, 2002, and)) the student member, shall serve for terms of four years, the terms expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term ((except that in the case of initial members, two shall be appointed to two-year terms, three shall be appointed to three-year terms, and three shall be appointed to four-year terms)). The student member shall hold his or her office for a term of one year ((from)) starting on the first day of July. ((The chair serving on June 13, 2002, shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.))

Sec. 2   RCW 28B.76.090 and 2004 c 275 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((The board shall employ a director and may delegate agency management to the director.)) Effective July 1, 2007, an executive director shall be appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by the board to the governor. If requested by the governor, the board shall submit additional names for the governor's consideration until an appointment is made. The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the ((board)) governor, shall be the executive officer of the board, and shall, under the board's supervision, administer the provisions of this chapter. The executive director shall, with the approval of the board: (1) Employ necessary deputy and assistant directors and other exempt staff under chapter 41.06 RCW who shall serve at his or her pleasure on such terms and conditions as he or she determines and (2) subject to the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW, appoint and employ such other employees as may be required for the proper discharge of the functions of the board. The executive director shall exercise such additional powers, other than rule making, as may be delegated by the board by resolution. In fulfilling the duties under this chapter, the board shall make extensive use of those state agencies with responsibility for implementing and supporting postsecondary education plans and policies including but not limited to appropriate legislative groups, the postsecondary education institutions, the office of financial management, the work force training and education coordinating board, and the state board for community and technical colleges. Outside consulting and service agencies may also be employed. The board may compensate these groups and consultants in appropriate ways.

Sec. 3   RCW 28B.76.210 and 2004 c 275 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The board shall collaborate with the four-year institutions including the council of presidents, the community and technical college system, and when appropriate the work force training and education coordinating board, the superintendent of public instruction, and the independent higher educational institutions to identify budget priorities and levels of funding for higher education, including the two and four-year institutions of higher education and state financial aid programs. It is the intent of the legislature that recommendations from the board reflect not merely the sum of budget requests from multiple institutions, but prioritized funding needs for the overall system of higher education.
     (2) By December of each odd-numbered year, the board shall distribute guidelines which outline the board's fiscal priorities to the institutions and the state board for community and technical colleges. The institutions and the state board for community and technical colleges shall submit an outline of their proposed budgets, identifying major components, to the board no later than ((August)) July 1st of each even-numbered year.
     (3) The board shall review and evaluate the operating and capital budget requests from four-year institutions and the community and technical college system based on how the requests align with the board's budget priorities, the missions of the institutions, and the statewide strategic master plan for higher education under RCW 28B.76.200.
     (4) The board shall submit recommendations on the proposed budgets and on the board's budget priorities to the office of financial management before ((November)) October 1st of each even-numbered year, and to the legislature by January 1st of each odd-numbered year.
     (5) Institutions and the state board for community and technical colleges shall submit any supplemental budget requests and revisions to the board at the same time they are submitted to the office of financial management. The board shall submit recommendations on the proposed supplemental budget requests to the office of financial management by November 1st and to the legislature by January 1st.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   RCW 28B.76.100 (Advisory council) and 2004 c 275 s 2 & 1985 c 370 s 9 are each repealed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Section 2 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.