FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 1449

C 23 L 11 E1

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Establishing a processing fee for educator certificates.

Sponsors: House Committee on Education Appropriations & Oversight (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunter, Haigh, Anderson, Maxwell, Sullivan and Dammeier; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction).

House Committee on Education Appropriations & Oversight

House Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) administers the certification process for educators in Washington. In 2008-09 the certification office within the OSPI processed approximately 38,753 certification actions. Total certification actions have remained relatively stable over recent years, staying in the range of 38,000 to 40,000 per year. Certification actions include the following types of processing: processing new certificates, issuing emergency substitute certifications, issuing certification renewals, and processing address changes. Assuming a $33 processing fee for each certification action, the OSPI would generate approximately $1,287,849 each year.

The certification system at the OSPI is a paper-based system, and relies on hand-coding of data and use of microfiche to store data. The OSPI spends approximately $855,437 to administer educator certifications.

An initial certification fee of $35, as well as other fees for a variety of actions, are levied by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). By statute, those funds support precertification training programs, program evaluation, and other professional in-service activities. Proceeds from this fee are split between the PESB and the college of education or educational service district from which the action was initiated.

Summary:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (Superintendent) may charge a fee for processing initial educator certificates and other certification-related activities. The OSPI must set the fee amount through the rule-making process. The fee amount must be set at a level sufficient "to defray the costs of administering the educator certification program." The Educator Certification Processing Account (Account) is created into which all proceeds from the fee must be deposited. Disbursements from the Account may only be made by the Superintendent or a designee, and the Account does not require appropriation from the Legislature for expenditure.

Votes on Final Passage:

First Special Session