Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Education Committee
HB 1167
Brief Description: Directing the statewide career and technical education task force to consider educational opportunities for careers in maritime professions.
Sponsors: Representatives Shavers, Reed, Ryu, Paul, Simmons, Nance and Timmons.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds a representative from the Washington State Department of Transportation's state ferries division to an existing statewide career and technical education task force (task force).
  • Requires the task force to make recommendations for opportunities that lead or articulate to postsecondary education programs approved by the United States Coast Guard for awarding the standards of training, certification, and watchkeeping credentials.
Hearing Date: 2/11/25
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:

Career and Technical Education.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a planned program of courses and learning experiences that begins with exploration of career options and supports basic academic and life skills.? Career and Technical Education instruction is delivered through programs at middle and high schools, through approved online courses, and at skill centers, the regional instructional venues that provide students with access to comprehensive, industry-defined CTE programs.


Core Plus.
Core Plus is a two-year CTE instruction program that is designed to prepare students for a structured pathway to employment in one of three sectors: ?aerospace/advanced manufacturing; construction; and maritime.? Core Plus instructional materials are vetted by industry partners and are approved for classroom use by the OSPI. ?Administrative and funding provisions for Core Plus are established in the state's biennial budget, not in statute.

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Temporary Task Force.

Legislation enacted in 2024 established a temporary statewide career and technical education task force in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.? The 10-member task force, which includes the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) or the SPI's designee, representatives from state agencies, and representatives with expertise in CTE issues, is charged with developing recommendations for:

  • expanding and strengthening the accessibility, stability, and uniformity of secondary work-integrated learning opportunities;
  • the successful administration and operation of CTE Core Plus programs through appropriate collaboration with industry sector leadership from program areas; and
  • a CTE Core Plus model framework that can be used to guide the expansion, establishment, and operation of CTE Core Plus programs.

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The Task Force must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature, and the State Board of Education by November 15, 2025.

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Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping.

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), prescribes minimum standards relating to training, certification, and watchkeeping for personnel on seagoing ships.? The STCW requirements have been incorporated into federal regulations and policies for certain personnel.? Additionally, the STCW basic safety course is widely required by employers for working seafarers.
Summary of Bill:

A representative from the Washington State Department of Transportation's state ferries division is added to the statewide career and technical education task force (task force).

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The findings and recommendations of the task force must include recommendations for opportunities that lead or articulate to public and private postsecondary education programs approved by the United States Coast Guard for awarding the standards of training, certification, and watchkeeping credentials.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.