SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1167
As Passed Senate - Amended, April 9, 2025
Title: An act relating to directing the statewide career and technical education task force to consider expanding and strengthening certain educational opportunities for careers in maritime professions.
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 History: Passed House: 3/5/25, 96-0.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/13/25, 3/20/25 [DP].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate - Amended: 4/9/25, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
(As Amended by Senate)
  • Directs the task force to develop recommendations for expanding and strengthening opportunities that lead or articulate to public and private postsecondary education programs approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for awarding the standards of training, certification, and watchkeeping credentials.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair, Early Learning; Harris, Ranking Member; Dozier, Hansen, Krishnadasan and McCune.
Staff: Elena Becker (786-7493)
Background:

Career and Technical Education. Career and Technical Education (CTE) means a planned program of courses and learning experiences that begins with exploration of career options; supports basic academic and life skills; and enables achievement of high academic standards, leadership, options for high skill, high wage employment preparation, and advanced and continuing education. Every CTE course must be approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

 

Core Plus is a two-year CTE instruction program that is designed to prepare students for a pathway to employment in one of three sectors: aerospace and advanced manufacturing, construction, and maritime. Core Plus instructional materials are vetted by industry partners and approved by OSPI.

 

Statewide Career and Technical Education Task Force. Legislation enacted in 2024 established a two-year Statewide Career and Technical Education Task Force (task force) within OSPI. The task force's membership includes the Superintendent of public instruction or a designee, numerous CTE experts, and representatives from state agencies.

 

The task force was directed to develop recommendations for expanding and strengthening secondary work-integrated learning opportunities, successfully operating CTE Core Plus Programs, and a CTE Core Plus model framework. The task force expires in June of 2026 and must report its findings to the Governor, Legislature, and State Board of Education by November 15, 2025.

 

Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping. The International Maritime Organization's Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) sets qualification standards for personnel on seagoing ships. The STCW requirements have been incorporated into federal regulations and policies for certain personnel and any mariner who works aboard a ship that operates outside the U.S. Territorial Boundary Line must hold an STCW endorsement. 

 

A mariner may obtain an STCW certificate by attending a U.S. Coast Guard-approved training school such as a Maritime Academy or Maritime Vocational School. The STCW provides for a variety of endorsements according to rank and vessel type; the entry-level endorsement is typically a five-day basic training class.
Summary of Amended Bill:

The task force is directed to develop recommendations for expanding and strengthening opportunities that lead or articulate to public and private postsecondary education programs approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for awarding the standards of training, certification, and watchkeeping credentials.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO: Washington State has a rich maritime history, culture, and economy. We can use the this existing taskforce to strengthen our maritime workforce and provide skillsets for all students to succeed in our state and society. The taskforce can further refine the notion of maritime and continue to identify industry needs.

 

The Coast Guard has specific requirements and basic safety training. It takes about 40-50 hours to become an ordinary seaman. Students can get this certificate at 16 and start accruing sea time; they can convert to an able-bodied seaman when they turn 18. These are international standards and allow students to work anywhere in the world.

 

Many existing maritime programs relate to manufacturing. It can be difficult for newcomers to the maritime industry to navigate training and certification requirements, but CorePlus can provide support in these areas in addition to hands-on training.
Persons Testifying:

PRO: Representative Clyde Shavers, Prime Sponsor; Tim Knue, Washinngton Association for Career and Technical Educatio; Ryan Davis, Legato Maritime; Tony Adams, Suquamish Higher Education Board; Lynette Brower, Washington State Skills Center Association; Dave Gering, Manufacturing Industrial Council of Seattle.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying:

PRO: Tory Gering, Core Plus Maritime.