The House Higher Education committee met yesterday, Wednesday, to continue to hearing from representatives of Washington industries in need of higher education graduates.

Among those presenting were panelists from the Biomedical, Energy, Agriculture and Viticulture industries. The House Higher Education Committee has been spending the week covering some of the most in-demand industries for 2 and 4 year college graduates. The panels will continue today, Thursday, with representatives from healthcare and maritime industries.

House Bill 1048

Also on the agenda yesterday was a public hearing concerning House Bill 1048; Regarding Higher Education Governance. 1048 concerns the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). During the 2012 legislative session, legislation was enacted replacing the Higher Education Coordinating Board with the WSAC. Contained in the legislation were the purposes and functions of the newly created council. HB 1048 makes small technical corrections to the law, as well as adds two voting members to the council; a representative from the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board and a representative of early learning. The committee plans on voting on the bill today, Thursday.