ESHB 1449 -
By Committee on Ways & Means
ADOPTED 05/20/2011
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 28A.410
RCW to read as follows:
(1) The legislature finds that the current economic environment
requires that the state, when appropriate, charge for some of the
services provided directly to the users of those services. The office
of the superintendent of public instruction is currently supported with
state funds to process certification fees. In addition, the
legislature finds that the processing of certifications should be moved
to an online system that allows educators to manage their
certifications and provides better information to policymakers. The
legislature intends to assess a certification processing fee to
eliminate state-funded support of the cost to issue educator
certificates.
(2) In addition to the certification fee established under RCW
28A.410.060, the superintendent of public instruction shall charge an
application processing fee for initial educator certificates and
subsequent actions. The superintendent of public instruction shall
establish the amount of the fee by rule under chapter 34.05 RCW. The
superintendent shall set the fee at a sufficient level to defray the
costs of administering the educator certification program under RCW
28A.300.040(9). Revenue generated through the processing fee shall be
deposited in the educator certification processing account.
(3) The educator certification processing account is established in
the custody of the state treasurer. The superintendent of public
instruction shall deposit in the account all moneys received from the
fees collected in subsection (2) of this section. Moneys in the
account may be spent only for the processing of educator certificates
and subsequent actions. Disbursements from the account shall be on
authorization of the superintendent of public instruction or the
superintendent's designee. The account is subject to the allotment
procedure provided under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is
required for disbursements.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 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
July 1, 2011."
ESHB 1449 -
By Committee on Ways & Means
ADOPTED 05/20/2011
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "actions;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 28A.410 RCW; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency."
EFFECT: Aligns effective date with Senate budget proposal, allowing educator certification fees to be collected for the 2011-12 school year for implementation of the online certification system.
EFFECT: Aligns bill to Senate budget assumption of $855,000 net savings to the General Fund--state when certification processing activities are transferred to the dedicated account.