HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5463

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to establish minimum standards for common student identifiers that students receive upon enrollment and retain upon transfer to any other college in the system.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Seaquist, Chair; Carlyle, Vice Chair; Haler, Ranking Minority Member; Parker, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Fagan, Hasegawa, Jacks, Probst, Reykdal, Sells, Springer, Warnick and Zeiger.

Background:

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) provides general supervision and sets policy direction for the community and technical college system. The SBCTC also allocates state resources to the colleges.

Among its specific responsibilities, the SBCTC must: (1) prepare a single system operating budget request and capital budget request for consideration by the Legislature; (2) disburse capital and operating funds appropriated by the Legislature to the college districts; (3) administer criteria for establishment of new colleges and for the modification of district boundary lines; (4) establish minimum standards for the operation of community and technical colleges with respect to personnel qualifications, budgeting, accounting, auditing, curriculum content, degree requirements, admission policies, and the eligibility of courses for state support; and (5) prepare a comprehensive master plan for community and technical college education.

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Summary of Bill:

The SBCTC must establish minimum standards for common student identifiers that students receive upon enrolling at any community or technical college. A student retains his or her common student identifier when transferring to any other college in the system.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) A bill heard earlier, House Bill 1909 (HB 1909), had this possibility embedded in it. This is a good bill for students. Currently, a student is issued a student identification number upon enrollment at one college in the community and technical college system but then must receive and remember a new number when that student attends another college in the system. This bill promotes efficiency and will allow for easier headcounts since, with a single number per student, there will not be a need to "unduplicate" the count. Community and technical colleges are doing a good job at promoting efficiencies. This particular efficiency will ease transfers and avoid unnecessary administrative duplication. Currently, the system has 34 data bases. Roadmaps are being designed and Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL) code must be written to implement this bill, but it will be worth it. It is anticipated that this will be completed and implemented in the early fall of this year. Ultimately, the goal is to have a single, common student record for each student. There are plans to meet with the four-year schools regarding HB 1909 and collaboration.

(Opposed) None.