Friday, February 2, is the Final Day for Many
Bills to Pass Committee
Friday is the final day for legislation to pass the
committee of origin (fiscal committee bills have until Feb. 6).
Here's a roundup of some of the legislation being tracked
by Washington State University as we move into the fourth week.
House Bill 2606, Senate Bill 6451
- State Energy Office Transfer - WSU Supports.
The House bill passed out of the House Energy and Utilities Committee last
week. WSU testified for the Senate bill which is still in committee.
With the closure of the state Energy Office, the Institute for
Public Policy recommended that some of its current functions which
are supported by non-state money be transferred to WSU Cooperative
Extension. The bill transfers more than 40 employees in the areas
of energy extension, telecommuting, software development, renewable
resources, Clearinghouse and Library, and alternative fuels to
WSU. The bills are requested by the Governor.
Senate Bill 6235, House Bill 2535 - Ethics/Technology
Transfer - WSU Supports
The House Bill passed the House Trade and Economic
Development Committee Wednesday and now is safe, for the time
being, in the House Rules Committee. Provost Tom George testified
for the bill on behalf of WSU last week. Originally proposed
by the University of Washington, Sen. Kathleen Drew and ten other
senators have signed on the bill, most notably Senate Minority
Leader Dan McDonald and Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder. The
legislation amends 1994 ethics law to allow faculty members to
receive compensation for services from the private sector that
are related to technology transfer. Current law, for instance,
does not allow a faculty member to be beneficially interested
in contracts under his/her supervision. In contrast, federal
guidelines promote such relationships under careful controls from
the higher education institution to promote technology transfer
to the private sector. The bill would use the federal guidelines
to govern these relationships.
Senate Bill 6303, HB 2478 - UW & WSU Tuition
- WSU Supports
Sponsored by Sen. Al Bauer, D-Vancouver, this is
also legislation supported by the UW and WSU. The bill would
increase tuition approximately 10 percent for non-resident undergraduates.
WSU has decided to support the legislation but opposes UWís
intent to push a second 10 percent increase through the 1997 Legislature.
Tuition is set at $9,755, a $1,156 increase. (The House bill
provides for a similar, though not identical increase.) The measure
is opposed by the Washington Student Lobby and the Associated
Students of Washington State University.
Senate Bills 6280, Senate Bill 6506, House
Bill 2293 - Technology Fees Proposals - Neutral
Sponsored by Sen. Jeannie Kohl, D-Seattle, S.B. 6280
allows up to $120 per academic year to be charged by an institution,
with the agreement of its student government, to pay for technology
costs. House Bill 2293, by Rep. Don Carlson, would charge up
to $100, also with agreement from student government. It was
amended Wednesday to apply only to the University of Washington
and passed out of committee. WSU and the Washington Student Lobby
have remained neutral on both bills. There are no plans to implement
the fee at WSU .
House Bill 2887 - Dissolves the Council of Presidents
- Opposed.
A House hearing has been scheduled. Requires the
Council of Presidents, a voluntary association of the state's
public four-year institutions, to be dissolved on or before June
30, 1996. Sponsors include Rep. Don Benton, R-Vancouver; Steve
Hargrove, R-Poulsbo; Joyce Mulliken, R-Ephrata; Ken Jacobsen,
D-Seattle; Dawn Mason, D-Seattle; Steve Fuhrman, R-Kettle Falls;
Lois McMahan, R-Gig Harbor; and Gene Goldsmith, R-Ferndale.
Senate Bill 6705 - Higher Education Technology
Plan (Senate Higher Education)
WSU has concerns how the bill, as drafted, may affect
the proposed WHEN project. Sponsored by Sen. Bauer, D-Vancouver,
the bill finds that in order to facilitate lifelong learning,
educational technology systems must be coordinated with the other
entities of federal, state and local government, and be readily
accessible to the general population of the state. DIS, in conjunction
with the HEC Board, Board for Community and Technical Colleges,
Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board, and the
state Board of Education would be required to convene a telecommunications
forum for the development of a plan by Dec. 15, 1996. The bill
directs the HEC Board to seek private contributions and prohibits
expenditure of any appropriation for new video equipment without
submitting a plan for review by DIS.
This update is shared by broadcast fax and electronic
mail to friends of Washington State University as state government
developments occur. Contact Karen Fischer, WSU State-wide
Affairs, 509/335-6665. Larry Ganders is at 360/438-7552; Fax:
360/438-8104. Internet address is ganders@wsunix.wsu.edu. Visit
our web page at www.wsu.edu/IR/wsulegis/olympia.html.
