This Friday marks the second major deadline of the session. All bills referred to fiscal committees in both chambers must have moved to the floor by end of day on February 25.

In preparation for this looming deadline all of the appropriation committees in the Senate and the House were busy today hearing and moving bills forward in the process.

House Higher Education Appropriations

The House Higher Education Appropriations Committee took action on two bills that would impact higher education.

House Bill 1849 creates the Washington State Education Council (Council). The overall mission of th Council is to: provide strategic oversight and advocacy of public education, including early learning, K-12 education in the common schools, and postsecondary education; and recommend policies and strategies to make the public education system student-focused and able to provide seamless service delivery across all sectors.

The substitute bill passed by the Committee revises the mission of the Council to focus on recommending policies, strategies and a governance structure for the public education system and makes the Council temporary, expiring the provision on  June 30, 2013. 

 In addition, the substitute revises the Legislative intent that guides the Council’s Transition Plan: to establish a primary strategic oversight and advocacy board for the public education system and consolidate supervision over matters pertaining to the public education system within a primary state agency.

House Bill 1808 requires all public high schools in the state to work toward the goal of offering a sufficient number of high school courses to give students the opportunity to earn the equivalent of one year’s worth of postsecondary credit and must inform students and their families about these opportunities. In addition, the bill requires institutions of higher education to develop a master list of postsecondary courses that can be fulfilled, for lower division general education requirements, by achieving an agreed-upon score on Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other recognized college-level proficiency exams or by meeting demonstrated competencies.

The substitute bill passed by the Committee clarifies language to include career and technical education and provides language to ensure institutions of higher education who provide an alternative approach to teaching and learning are encompassed.

Senate Ways & Means

The Senate Ways & Means Committee took action on two bills that would provide for regulatory relief for institutions of higher education.

Senate Bill 5268 would remove the exisiting requirement for approval by the Director of the Office of Financial Management with regard to meetings of members in any of the five classification groups associated with part-time boards and commissions affiliated with institutions of higher education. In addition, the bill would exempt institutions of higher education from the restrictions on personal service contracts, equipment acquisition, travel, and employment.

Senate Bill 5519 modifies public contracting limits and procedures.

Both Senate Bill 5519 and 5268 now move to Senate Rules.