Washington State University Legislative Bill Status

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a Amended. $ Appropriation bill. f State fiscal note on file. d Department.
e Governor. b Budget committee. o Other. # Local fiscal note on file.
Pink cells indicate either a change in status or that we are tracking a new bill.

Monday - April 15, 2002
Bill No	Title	Status	Date	Sponsor	Recomnd. Position
SHB 1268 af	Civil service	C 354 L 02 PV	4/3/2002	SG (Romero)	Concerns
*-Signed into law by the governor on April 3-* *-Partial Veto-* This is the governor's proposal for collective bargaining for all of the state's classified employees. House agreed with the Senate amendments 56-40 on March 11. Passed the state Senate 29-19 on March 8. Passed the state House of Representatives 54-43 on Feb. 13. WSU has concerns about the administrative fiscal impact of the bill which will cost the university up to $400,000 per year for necessary staffing, training, and legal research.. Collective Bargaining: Washington State University may bargain with its own employees on matters including salaries and benefits or transfer that authority to the governor. Whatever agreement is negotiated by or on behalf of WSU will be submitted by the governor to the Legislature, which may only accept or reject the proposal. New Civil Service Rules: Beginning July 1, 2004, new civil service rules are adopted including a new job classification system. The Washington Personnel Resources Board must complete a review of all rules relating to classification, allocation, and reallocation within the classified service by July 1, 2003. By March 15, 2004, the board must adopt new classification rules which allow for joint requests for a classification study for collective bargaining purposes. The director of the Department of Personnel must begin to implement a new classification system by January 1, 2005. Employees may appeal the director's classification decisions to the board and board decisions on such appeals are final. Civil Service Appeals: On July 1, 2006, the Personnel Appeals Board is terminated (PAB). The WPRB assumes the appellate functions of the PAB for those employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The board may use hearing officers to conduct appeals. Contracting out: Beginning July 1, 2005, state agencies and higher education institutions may contract out for services, including those historically provided by classified employees, if: (a) the bid request contains measurable performance standards and the agency uses these standards in monitoring and cancelling contracts; (b) displaced employees are allowed to offer alternative proposals and compete for the contract, and the contract requires new contractors to consider hiring displaced employees; and © the agency demonstrates that the contract results in savings or efficiency improvements. These requirements do not apply to those types of contracts that were authorized under prior law, such as contracts between state agencies and other public entities. SEE ALSO # SB 5577 Get the partial veto message.
2SHB 1345	Personal service contracting	H Rules R	2/12/2002	APP (Dickerson)	OPPOSE
*-Added to Senate Bill 5629-* The bill failed to make the Feb. 19 deadline to pass the original house. Relating to state agency personal service contracting practices. The bill includes a requirement for mandatory training of every employee who may be responsible for "managing" the performance of personal service/consulting contracts. WSU is concerned about added layers of bureaucracy that the bill would create. It passed out of the House State Government Committee. This bill was added in the house to Senate Bill 5629.
3SHB 1517	State agncy quality imprvmnt	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	APP (Miloscia)	Concerns
*-Bill died after passing original house-* Passed the state House of Representatives 97-0 on Feb. 14 but has not been scheduled for a hearing in front of the State & Local Government Committee. The so-called "Quality Management" bill. Each state agency shall develop and implement a quality management program to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the public services it provides through business process redesign, employee involvement, and other quality management techniques. Each agency shall ensure that front line agency employees are engaged in the program and shall provide employees with the training necessary to successful implementation of efforts toward quality improvement. Each agency shall, where applicable, include collective bargaining representatives in the development and operation of the quality management program. WSU has concerns that this bill duplicates its strategic planning process and will costs more than $500,000 to implement. WSU went on record with concerns about the fiscal impact of the bill on February 5. Hearing scheduled Wednesday, Feb. 27 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
2SHB 1938 a	Sabotage	C 169 L 02	3/27/2002	CJC (Pearson)	Support
*-Governor signed into law-* See Also, SB 6725. The House voted 94-0 on March 11 to agree to Senate amendments, supported by WSU. Passed the state Senate 48-1 on March 7. This bill has passed the state House of Representatives 96-0 on Feb. 13. It is a reaction to the fire-bombing of the University of Washington's Morrill Hall which also house offices of WSU Cooperative Extension. Specifically, the bill provides that a court may consider imposing a sentence above the standard range when the court finds that the defendant committed an act to intentionally obstruct or impair human health care, animal health care, agricultural research, forestry research, or commercial production. The original bill provided for additional criminal penalties, but specifically for sabotage of university research buildings.. WSU successfully testified Feb. 28 for broader language in the Senate committee version of the bill to provide exceptional sentences for sabotage against research plots and farms without structures to also be covered. See photos of sabotage affecting WSU.
2SHB 2307 f	Timber substitution	H Rules C	2/19/2002	APP (Doumit)	SUPPORT
*-Bill died on the House calendar, See also SB 6257-* The bill failed to make the Feb. 19 deadline to pass the House although efforts continue to have the bill considered in this legislative session. Proponents count more than 60 votes in favor of the bill The Timber Substitution Bill. This bill, with technical amendments, passed out of the House Appropriations Committee Feb. 9 and was pulled from the House Rules Committee on Feb. 14. WSU testified in favor of this legislation in the House Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 18 and in front of the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 6. The legislation grew out of the Joint Select Legislative Task Force, assisted by an advisory committee that included WSU. The current rules prohibiting export or substitution of restricted timber are altered to allow for more mills to be able to obtain timber sold at public auctions. WSU testified in favor of a more direct phase-out of timber substitution rules that will allow more eligible bidders on the sale of timber from WSU Trust Lands. The legislation is generally supported by larger timber companies which generally are excluded from bidding under substitution rules. It is generally opposed by smaller mills that see the rules as protecting domestic supplies of logs. The bill was amended in committee to attach a new provision, supported by WSU, that phases down the substitution restrictions over ten years. For the first five years, 25 percent of the state and local government timber sales volume would be offered to all domestic processors. In year five, this would be increased to 38 percent and in year ten 50 percent. This is progress and it would generate more trust revenues if it is enacted.
E SHB 2326 f	Climate & energy center	C 250 L 02 PV	3/29/2002	AGEC (Linville)	SUPPORT
*-Governor signed into law-* *-Partial Veto-* This bill establishes the Washington Climate and Rural Energy Development Center in the Washington State University energy program. It designates that center as a clearinghouse of credible and reliable information regarding climate change and clean energy activities. The issues included global warming and climate change. However, the governor found section 5 of the bill to be unduly prescriptive "would have inhibited academic freedom." The Center will be funded entirely by project grants and voluntary contributions. The governor said his veto provided the Center with flexibility in the kinds of grants it receives and activities it pursues. Section 5 also would have mandated that certain state agencies provide assistance to the Center for its activities. However, the bill does not assign specific or measurable tasks to the agencies or provide funding for that assignment. WSU did not request the partial veto but the remaining bill still accomplishes the university's objectives for this legislation. The bill passed the state Senate 30-18 in March 8. Passed the state House of Representatives 62-36 on Feb. 16. WSU testified in support of the bill in the House Agriculture and Ecology Committee Jan. 22. Revisions of the bill were made in conjunction with the Northwest Council on Climate Change and the Association of Washington Business. The Center is now more explicitly within the WSU Energy Program. Get Partial Veto Message.
HB 2327	Greenhouse gas mitigation	H Technology,	1/14/2002	Linville	SUPPORT
*-Died-* The bill creates a funding source for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from new fossil fuel power plants. WSU’s Cooperative Extension Energy Program could be involved in distributing mitigation funds under the terms of the legislation. WSU testified in support of the bill on January 22 in the House Technology, Telecommunications and Energy Committee. Also unsuccessful in a Senate policy committee, was a companion bill, SB 6744
SHB 2330	Resident tuition	H Rules C	2/19/2002	HE (Kenney)	Support
*-Died-* The bill failed to make the Feb. 19 deadline to pass the original house. This bill provides in-state tuition rates to non-U.S. citizens who have resided in Washington State and graduated from a Washington High School. WSU testified in favor of the bill Jan. 25 in the House Higher Education Committee and succesfully offered an amendment that counts the student as a resident at the time of admission rather than enrollment. The bill requires an affidavit from the student that he or she will apply for legal residency.
HB 2332 af#d	Voter registration	C 185 L 02 PV	3/27/2002	Romero	Support
*-Governor signed into law-* *-Partial Veto-* House concurred with the Senate amendments 97-0 on March 12. The amendments state that, "Each institution of higher education shall put in place an active prompt on its course registration web site, or similar web site that students actively and regularly use, that, if selected, will link the student to the secretary of state's voter registration web site. The prompt must ask the student if he or she wishes to register to vote. The governor believed Sections 1, 2, 4 and 5 of this bill are identical to and duplicative of provisions of Senate Bill No. 6324, which he signed into law on March 12, 2002. So, those provisions were vetoed. Get the partial veto message.
E SHB 2353	Agency loss prevention	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	JUDI (Alexander)	CONCERNS
*-See Senate Bill 6428-*Passed the state House of Representatives 85-13 on Feb. 16 but died in the state Senate. Requires the Office of Financial Management to form a loss prevention review team to review a death, serious injury or other substantial loss that allegedly involves a state agency. Makes the final report and any documents prepared by or for a loss prevention review team inadmissible in a civil or administrative proceeding, except for impeaching a witness. Prevents a member of a loss prevention review team from testifying in a civil or administrative proceeding as to the work of the review team or the incident under review. Prevents a person who has provided statements to a loss prevention review team from being examined in a civil or administrative proceeding regarding those statements, except for impeachment purposes. Requires an agency to respond to the final report of a loss prevention review team. SEE ALSO # E SSB 6428
SHB 2364	Sick leave	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	CL (Dickerson)	CONCERNS
*-See Senate Bill 6426-* Passed the state House of Representatives 88-0 on Feb. 16. Allowing sick leave to care for family members. Provides that an employer shall not discharge, threaten to discharge, demote, suspend, discipline, or otherwise discriminate against an employee because the employee: (1) has exercised, or attempted to exercise, any right provided under RCW 14.12.270 through 49.12.295; or (2) has filed a complaint, testified, or assisted in any proceeding under RCW 49.12.270 through 49.12.295. SEE ALSO # SSB 6426
HB 2375	Trust lands	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	Rockefeller	CONCERNS
*-Passed original house, died in the Senate-* Passed the state House of Representatives 96-0 on Feb. 12. Requiring a public hearing prior to transfer or disposal of trust land Provides that, prior to transferring real property under RCW 79.01.009, the department must hold a public hearing in the manner provided for exchanges under RCW 79.08.015, except in cases where the legislature has directed the transfer
HB 2386 af	National guard	C 186 L 02	3/27/2002	Simpson
*-Governor signed into law-* Passed the state Senate 44-0 on March 6. Passed the state House of Representatives 98-0 on Feb. 13 and will soon be under consideration by the Senate. Classifies members of the Washington National Guard who leave active service as residents of the state of Washington. That eliminates the one-year requirement to obtain resident tuition rates. It also gives resident tuition rates to state Guard members who reside in border counties. SEE ALSO # SSB 6640
HB 2391 fo	LEOFFRS plan 2	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	Conway	Support
*-See Senate Bill 6378-*Passed the state House of Representatives 98-0 on Feb. 16 and died on the Senate calendar. However, companion legislation from the Senate did pass and was signed into law. Authorizing part-time leaves of absence for law enforcement members of the LEOFF plan2. SEE ALSO # SB 6378
HB 2394 fo	PERS	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	Alexander	Support
*-See Senate Bill 6381-*Passed the state House of Representatives 98-0 on Feb. 15. A bill governing separation from PERS 1; Provides that a member who: (1) Separates from service under this subsection on or after 1-1-02 and (2) attains the age of 50 with at least 20 years of service prior to separation; and (3) is not retired as of the effective date of this act shall remain a member during the period of absence from service for the exclusive purpose of receiving a retirement allowance to begin at attainment of age 60. Provides that, if such a member should withdraw all or part of the member's accumulated contributions except those additional contributions made pursuant to RCW 41.40.330(2), the individual shall thereupon cease to be a member and this act shall not apply. SEE ALSO # SB 6381
2SHB 2403 a	Collective bargaining	C 356 L 02 PV	4/4/2002	APP (Kenney)	Concerns
*-Signed by governor-* *-Partial Veto-* This is the Faculty Collective Bargaining bill. Passed the state House of Representatives 53-44 on Feb. 12 and passed the state Senate in a different form 27-22 on March 7. Enabling legislation for Faculty Collective Bargaining at the four-year public institutions including Washington State University.The boards of regents or trustees of the four-year public institutions of higher education and the exclusive bargaining representatives of their respective faculties have a mutual obligation to bargain in good faith over wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment under a new collective bargaining law administered by the PERC. Both faculty strikes and employer lockouts are prohibited. The substitute bill allows only one bargaining unit of faculty at each institution of higher education with no discretion to consider other units;an agreement may not include compensation that exceeds the amount or percentage established by the Legislature in the appropriations act. WSU does not oppose such enabling legislation. However, this particular bill has not been disapproved by the WSU Faculty Senate on a 14-27 vote on Feb. 14. The bill has been endorsed by the Council of Faculty Representatives. Would take effect Oct. 1, 2002. The House agreed to the Senate amendments 52-45 on March 13. The Senate amendments requires that the Faculty Senate be abolished before faculty can bargain with an institution. That requirement is being considered as a partial veto by the governor. SEE ALSO # SSB 6440 Get the partial veto.
SHB 2414	Prof educator standards brd	C 92 L 02	3/22/2002	ED (Haigh)	Support

*-Governor Signed Into Law-* Passed state Senate 47-0. On March 5. Passed the state House of Representatives 97-0 on Feb. 13 and is now under consideration by the state Senate. Makes improvements to the professional educator standards board terms and delays the subject matter test. Supported by the WSU College of Education. The bill staggers the terms of the members and moves the required date for the content test from 2003 to 2005. SEE ASLO # SSB 6478.
SHB 2415	Principals & vice principals	C 78 L 02	3/21/2002	ED (Quall)	Support

*-Governor Signed Into Law-* Passed the state House of Representatives 97-0 on Feb. 13. Passed the state Senate 46-0 on March 4. Relating to qualifications for public school principals and vice principals;School districts must hire principals and vice-principals who hold valid administrative certificates. In addition, they must hold or have held either valid teacher or educational staff associate certificates. Persons with educational staff associate certificates must also have demonstrated successful school-based instructional experience. Persons whose certificates were revoked, suspended, or surrendered cannot be employed as public school principals or vice-principals. SEE ALSO # SSB 6477
SHB 2460	Supplemental operatng budget	H Rules R	3/8/2002	APP (Sommers)	strongly Support

*-See SB 6387, Senate Supplemental Operating Budget-*This bill has passed the House Appropriations Committee. This is the House supplemental operating budget bill. Washington State University testified March 7 in strong support of the supplemental operating budget package introduced by Appropriations Chair Helen Sommers, D-Seattle, that specifies reductions of about 4 percent to university programs, 2 percent salary increases, and tuition increases of up to 16 percent. Total cuts to WSU in the budget total 5.6 percent of $11.8 million compared to a 6.2 percent cut or $13 million recommended by Gov. Gary Locke (whose original bill was introduced under this number.) See also: S.B. 6387, which is the Senate version of the Supplemental Operating Budget. The Senate version cuts 9.3 percent from WSU or about 9.3 percent. This legislation and SB 6387 appear destined to be the subject of negotiations between the House and Senate over the final supplemental operating budget that seeks to balance a $1.6 billion shortfall in overall state funding.
HB 2510 $e	Supplemental capital budget	H Cap Budget	1/18/2002	Murray	Support

*-See Senate Bill 6396-*This is the supplemental capital construction budget. The original bill recommended by the governor includes $6 million in economic stimulus monies for WSU. It includes: $500,000 to complete the first phase renovation of the F.O. Berg building in Spokane. $1.2 million to build hazardous waste disposal sites at WSU experiment stations in Othello, Lind, Wenatchee and Prosser. . $435,000 to upgrade the water system at WSU-Prosser. $450,000 toward a $2.85 million pedestrian mall on library road in Pullman. $575,000 to complete a $3.57 million reconstruction of the main Pullman campus arterial, Stadium Way. $360,000 to replace and upgrade storm sewer from Tacoma Street to Spring Street in Pullman. $246,000 for road improvements including replacement of North Fairway, a traffic signal along Stadium Way, and general roadway repair or resurfacing throughout the campus. $500,000 to rework lighting on the Pullman campus to provide for consistent, safety lighting. $103,500 to complete a $260,000 project to retrofit fire alarm systems at LJ Smith, French Ad and Sloan Halls. · $188,000 to survey and upgrade the steam condensate system in Pullman. SEE ALSO # SB 6396
E SHB 2540	Collective bargaining/U. W.	C 34 L 02	3/14/2002	CL (Conway)	Neutral

*-Governor signed into law-* The bill passed the state House of Representatives 53-44 on Feb. 19. Passed the state Senate 25-22 on March 6. Relating to collective bargaining for University of Washington employees who are enrolled in academic programs; This is the enabling legislation for teaching assistants and research assistants at the University of Washington. WSU has no position on the bill and it does not impact WSU. SEE ALSO # SSB 6403
HB 2543	Adverse employment action	H Commerce/Lab	1/21/2002	Wood

*-Died-* The bill failed to make the Feb. 19 deadline to pass the original house.Provides that, without just cause, an employer may not discharge an employee from employment or take any other adverse employment action against an employee if: (1) The employer required the employee to give notice of his or her intent to terminate his or her employment; (2) The employee gave the employer such notice; and (3) The employer discharged or took adverse action against the employee after the employee gave the employer such notice.
HB 2551 f#	Public works contracting	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	Romero	NEUTRAL

*-See Senate Bill 6597-* Passed the state House of Representatives 98-0 on Feb. 4 but yielded to a companion Senate bill. The threshold amount for using either the design-build procedure or the GCCM procedure is lowered from $12 million to $10 million for all government entities (including WSU) eligible to use an alternative public works procedure. Relating to alternative public works contracting procedures; and amending RCW 39.10.051, 39.10.061, 39.10.067, and 39.10.902. Passed the state House of Representatives 98-0 on Feb. 14. SEE ALSO # SSB 6597
E2SHB 2563 f	Performance audits	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	APP (Miloscia)	CONCERNS

*-See Senate Bill 6387-* Passed the state House of Representatives 61-36 on Feb. 18 with the support of the governor's office but failed in the Senate. However, language was added in the supplemental operating budget bill. This original bill creates the Governor's Performance Audit Standards and Scorecard Commission.Establishes an on-going performance audit and yearly scoring program in the Office of Financial Management (OFM); Directs OFM, in consultation with the new commission, to conduct independent performance audits and scoring for state government entities.·Authorizes and requires the state auditor to conduct a pilot performance audit of the Department of Agriculture by December 31, 2002.
SHB 2566	Clean alt fuel vehicles	H Finance	2/5/2002	AGEC (Linville)

*-Died-* Providing incentives to reduce air pollution through the use of clean alternative fuel vehicles.
SHB 2618	Review of agencies	H Approp	2/8/2002	SG (Romero)	NEUTRAL

*-Died-* The bill failed to make the Feb. 19 deadline to pass the original house. .Relating to public accountability and the reviews of state agencies; amending RCW 44.28.071; adding a new section to chapter 44.28 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.
2SHB 2630 f#	Apprenticeship utilization	H Rules C	2/19/2002	CB (Conway)	Opposed

*-Died-* The bill failed to make the Feb. 19 deadline to pass the original house. The requirements in the new House Substitute Bill apply to state agencies, other than agencies headed by a separately elected public official, the Department of Transportation, and institutions of higher education. So, as written this bill does not apply to WSU. If it did, WSU would be opposed to the bill. Provides that from July to December of this year, all contracts for public works estimated to cost $2 million or more shall require that no less than 10 percent of the labor hours within each craft or trade be performed by apprentices. Increases to 12 percent next year and 15 percent in 2004. (See also, Senate Bill 6565.)
SHB 2632 f	Higher education retirement	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	APP (Sommers)	SUPPORT

*-Passed original house, died in the state Senate-* Passed the state House of Representatives 94-0 on Feb. 17. Pertaining to the higher education retirement plan. Legislative intent is declared that the state should neither guarantee nor limit the benefits in a defined contribution system. Supplemental payment is eliminated to hired under a higher education defined contribution plan after July 1, 2002. The bill repeals the intent of the Legislature that contribution levels are to be adjusted if retirement income exceeds 60% of the average of the two highest consecutive years of salaries. (Replaces House Bill 2244 from 2001.) The Council of Presidents testified for the bill on March 4 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
SHB 2648	Capital budget applications	C 312 L 02 PV	4/2/2002	CB (Murray)

*-Governor signed into law-* *-Partial Veto-* Passed the state House of Representatives 98-0 on Feb. 15. Passed the state Senate 49-0 on March 7. In its capital budget instructions, the OFM must require capital budget applicants to provide additional information for proposed major capital projects: those that are over $5 million are required to go through the pre-design process. The applicant must provide a series of "yes" and "no" answers to a variety of questions relating to the project's impact on growth and development. The governor partially vetoed Sections 2 and 3 of the bill would have required estimates of total capital project costs to include the cost of the raw land, any revenues in lieu of property taxes, and the cost of development in OFM-issued fiscal notes. The governor said he believed that those requirements would be premature within the fiscal note development process, and costly to estimate for both the state and local government. Get the partial veto message.
HB 2657 af	Ag products/state facilities	C 166 L 02	3/27/2002	Hunt	Neutral

*-Governor signed into law-* Passed the state Senate 45-0 on March 8. Passed the state House of Representatives 97-0 on Feb. 12. The House agreed to Senate amendments on a 94-0 vote on March 11. The original bill required that Washington fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products be purchased for state institutions (including WsU) and state-supported facilities if available and competitively priced. The bill has now been amended by the Senate to state: 1) The department of general administration, through the state purchasing and material control director, shall encourage each state and local agency doing business with the department to purchase Washington fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products when available. (2) The department of general administration shall work with the department of agriculture and other interested parties to identify and recommend strategies to increase public purchasing of Washington fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products, and report back orally to the appropriate committees of the legislature in September 2002, and in January 2003.. . SEE ALSO # SB 6667
HB 2678	Voter registration	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	Upthegrove	Support

*-See Senate Bill 2332-* Passed the state House of Representatives 98-0 on Feb. 15 and is now under consideration by the state Senate. Requires institutions of higher education to put in place an active prompt on their web sites that link to the secretary of state's voter registration web site. WSU already has a link for students to access voter registration and supported the bill in committee.
HB 2685 fo	Campus police officers	H Rules 3C	3/14/2002	Kenney	Support

*-See Senate Bill 6628-* Passed the state House of Representatives 94-0 on Feb. 13 and has been approved by the Senate Higher Education Committee.. Provides that the probationary period of campus police officer appointees shall extend from 1) the date of appointment until twelve months from the date of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy or 2) 12 months from the date of appointment if academy training is not required. SEE ALSO # SB 6628
HB 2730	Ergonomics rules	H Commerce/Lab	1/25/2002	Clements

*-Died-* The bill failed to make it the Feb. 8 deadline to pass the committee of origin. Relating to repealing ergonomics rules; amending RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050; adding a new section to chapter 49.17 RCW; and declaring an emergency.
SHB 2736 a	State universities/research	C 151 L 02	3/26/2002	CB (Murray)	Support

*-Governor signed into law-* Passed the state Senate 45-1 on March 7. Passed the state House of Representatives 98-0 on Feb. 15. Allows for universities to bond Facilities and Administration funds from the federal government for capital construction projects. F&A monies are sometimes referred to as "indirect cost" payments provided by the federal government for Research Projects. This bill was requested by the University of Washington. While WSU will not immediately benefit from the legislation, it does support receiving the additional authority. WSU testified in support of the legislation on Feb. 4 in the House Capital Budget Committee. The bill also authorizes the universities to lease research facilities and lease out research facilities to non-university entitites for extended periods. State-appropriated funds cannot be used for maintenance and operating expenses for these projects unless specifically authorized by the Legislature. The effect of the Senate amendments is that it clarifies no state funds will be used for research activities that are housed in the facilities financed under this chapter and that if the grant funding used for the research activities housed in those facilities is reduced or eliminated, there will be no state general fund obligation for FTE's or other related costs. SEE ALSO # SSB 6721
HB 2749	Cert instructional staff	H Higher Educ	1/25/2002	Morell	Oppose

*-Died-* The bill failed to pass out of the original policy committee by Fgeb. 8. The bill provides that universities like WSU are allowed to waive up to half of all tuition and fees for certified instructional staff who are either teaching or employed as educational staff associates in the state's public schools and are enrolled in a program leading to a master's degree.
HB 2761	Info technology projects	H Approp	2/8/2002	Anderson	Concerns

*-Died-* The legislature finds that major state information technology projects require additional oversight and review, along with a new funding approach. The legislature finds that public funds are used most efficiently when major state information projects are funded using a competitive approach that relies on incremental expenditures from a pooled fund to reward efficient and timely completion of projects. Incremental expenditures and increased, expert oversight of expenditures will promote sound agency planning, will ensure wise use of public funds, and will avoid delays that would otherwise result in increased costs to taxpayers and delayed implementation of state technology services.
HB 2769	Board of natural resources	H Natural Res	1/28/2002	Murray	Oppose

*-Died-* This would increase the number of people sitting on the the Board of Natural Resources to 9 (from 6). One of the new people would befrom regional or statewide hunting, fishing, recreation, or conservationgroups to represent the public interests. Another would represent water districts.
HB 2776	Ag products/state facilities	H State Govt	1/28/2002	Clements	Neutral

*-See House Bill 2657-* Relating to increasing the purchase of Washington grown or raised agricultural products; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and prescribing penalties.
HB 2782 f	Actuarial experience study	C 7 L 02	3/1/2002	Doumit

*-Governor signed into law-* Passed the state House of Representatives 50-47 on Feb. 18. Beginning April 1, 2002, the basic state contribution rate for LEOFF and the basic employer contribution rate for PERS, TRS, and WSPRS are established by law based on the results of the most recent valuation using assumptions prescribed by the 1995-2000 experience study, and the new rates must be utilized in the 2002 Supplemental Operating Budget. New state contribution rates (expressed as a percentage of the total salary of the system's membership) will be 1.75 percent for LEOFF 2, 1.10 percent for PERS, 1.05 percent for TRS, and 0.96 percent for SERS.
HB 2805 e	Higher ed/tuition	H Higher Educ	1/29/2002	Kenney	Support

*-See Senate Bill 6387-*This issue was eventually addressed in the supplemental operating budget bill. This original legislation was the Governor's Tuition Bill. It gave unlimited tuition setting authority to the governing boards of all four- year institutions beginning in 2003-2004. Community college increases are limited to 10% The state continues to fund the State Need Grant to cover increases of up to 10% per year. The institutions are responsible for financial aid for increases above 10 percent. All 4 year institutions are required to have the 4 year graduation guarantee. WSU recommendationt adopted so that the guarantee agreement must be entered prior to enrollment. (see section 5(2)(b). The bill allows flexibility of rates by programs, campuses, courses, etc., so a special rate for programs like the Spokane Computer Engineering could be accommodated. WSU testified in favor of the bill in the House Higher Education Committee on Feb. 6. SEE ALSO # SB 6707
SHB 2807 a	Promise scholarships	C 204 L 02	3/27/2002	APP (Kenney)	Support

*-Governor signed into law-* The House and Senate passed the bill with amendments by the Senate on March 14. The bill puts the governor's promise scholarship program into statute. Passed the state House of Representatives 97-1 on Feb. 14. Passed the state Senate 48-0 on March 8. The Senate Higher Education has made significant changes to the bill. Changes include:--Eligibility for Promise Scholarships would be curtailed from the current top 15 percent of graduating classes to the top 10 percent; students who score 1200 or better on the SAT I, or 27 or better on the ACT would also be eligible. --Scholarships may be used for undergraduate coursework at Oregon institutions that are part of the Border County Project when the Oregon institutions offer programs not available at accredited Washington institutions. --Scholarships may be awarded only to legal residents of the United States residing in Washington. --Before awarding Promise Scholarships, the Higher Education Coordinating Board shall first ensure that eligibility for SNG recipients is at least 55 percent of the state Median Family Income
SHB 2831	Branch campuses	H Approp	2/7/2002		Support

*-See Senate Bill 6387-* Relating to a review of the current role of branch campuses in comparison with their original mission and an analysis of their future role by the Washington state institute for public policy; and creating a new section. Hearing was held in the House Higher Education Committee on Feb. 5. The issue was eventually addressed with a study in the supplemental operating budget bill.
E HB 2841 af	Higher ed coordinating board	C 129 L 02	3/26/2002	Chase	Neutral

*-Governor signed into law-* The current membership of the Higher Education Coordinating Board is increased from nine members to 10 members. At least one of the board members must be a student. The Senate is required to approve the student member. The student member has a one year term starting from the first day of July until his or her successor is appointed. The measure passed the state House of Representatives 94-4 on Feb. 15. The Senate passed an amended bill 42-5 on March 5. The House concurred with the Senate amendments on March 9. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislature.
HB 2872	Campus crime reporting	H Higher Educ	1/30/2002	Lantz	Concerns

*-Issue to be studied in the interim-* WSU expressed concerns in testimony on Feb. 5 about how this bill relates to existing campus crime reporting procedures. The bill directs the Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop a new crime reporting structure that will make information available for the entire campus commmunity, not just for the jurisdictions of the university police forces. The university current prepares two separate reports on crime statistics. This would be a third system.
HB 2883	Articulation act T.O.	H Higher Educ	1/31/2002	Kenney

*-Died-* This is legislation that House Higher Education Chair Phyllis Kenney, D-Seattle, has introduced as a "title only" bill. The content of the bill has not been determined.l
HB 2899	Student financial aid T.O.	H Higher Educ	2/4/2002	Kenney

*-Died-* This is a "title only bill" by House Higher Education Chair Phyllis Kenney. She has not yet introduced language for the bill.
SHB 2914 f	Financial aid account	Gov vetoed V	4/3/2002	APP (Kenney)	SUPPORT

*-Governor Vetoed-* Passed the state Senate 47-0 on March 8. Passed the state House of Representatives 94-0 on Feb. 17. This legislation allows for the transfer of unspent funds from one year to the next to ensure that all funds appropriated for financial aid are spent on financial aid. Relating to creating a financial aid account to ensure that all statewide student financial aid is made available; Get the veto message.
E SHB 2969 af#	Transportation	C 202 L 02	3/27/2002	TR (Fisher)

*-Gas Tax Referendum-* *-Governor signed into law-* This is the gas tax legislation that passed the state House of Representatives 54-44 on March 1. It establishes an 8-cent-per-gallon increase in fuel tax phased in over two years; a 1 percent sales tax on retail sale of motor vehicles; and a 20 percent increase in gross weight fee portion of combined licensing fee. It Authorizes $3.5 billion in bonds supported by the fuel tax. It also Authorizes $250 million in general obligation bonds which may be used for multimodal projects. It Revises distribution of motor vehicle fuel tax refunds to the off-road vehicle account, the snowmobile account, and the recreation resource account. It Sets a special election for June 20, 2002, for a public referendum on the proposed transportation tax increases.
HR 4687	WSU football team	H Adopted	1/30/2002	Hunt	Support

*- Approved by House, No Further Action Required-* A resolution commemorating that The Washington State University Cougars' football team, under the leadership of Coach Mike Price, finished the 2001 season with a 10-2 record; Get the full resolution.
HR 4689	4-H youth development	H Adopted	1/30/2002	Schoesler

*- Approved by House, No Further Action Required-* WHEREAS, 2002 is the centennial year of 4-H which has served the youth of our country well for a full century now, and 4-H has withstood the test of time and yet has been able to change with the times; See pictures and information. Get the Full Resolution.
SSB 5166 af	Higher education	C 187 L 02	3/27/2002	HIE (Kohl-Welles)

*-Governor signed into law-* Passed the state Senate 47-0 on Jan. 23. Passed the state House 97-0 on March 7. Allowing state financial aid to be used at Washington branch campuses of accredited out-of-state institutions of higher education. SEE ALSO # HB 2002
E SSB 5264 af#	Pblc emplys/unfair practices	C 155 L 02	3/27/2002	WM (Prentice)	Support House Version

*-Governor signed into law-* On March 12, The Senate agreed to the House amendments (originally proposed by WSU.) Passed the state Senate 96-0 on March 8. Bill has passed the state Senate 30-18 on Feb. 15 and WSU testified against the bill on Wednesday, Feb. 20.. The bill says that it is an unfair practice for a public employer to misclassify an employee to avoid providing employment-based benefits, or to include language in an employment contract requiring an employee to forego employment-based benefits. "Employment-based benefits" mean any benefits to which an employee is entitled under any state law or employer written policies. "Misclassify" means to incorrectly label a long-term public employee in a manner that does not objectively describe the employee's actual work circumstances. Any person who believes he or she has been harmed by being misclassified may either: 1) seek a review by the Department of Retirement Systems of whether the person has been misclassified; or 2) bring a civil action prohibiting public employers from firing employees to avoid providing benefits. As a result of WSU testimony, amendments that exempted student employment from the bill were adoped by the policy committee in the opposite House. WSU is opposed to the original Senate Bill.
SSB 5552 a	Border county higher educatn	C 130 L 02	3/26/2002	HIE (Carlson)	Support

*-Governor signed into law-* Passed the state House 96-0 on March 8, just under the deadline. The bill passed the state Senate 47-0. The original bill made permanent the Border County Higher Education Project and expanded it to include bordering Oregon counties and Washington institutions of higher education to participate in the program. The final bill sunsets the law in two years. WSU testified in support of the bill in the House Higher Education Committee. Efforts to increase the credit hours from eight to nine were unsuccessful. House amendments, which were adopted in the final bill sent to the governor, extended the pilot status with a one-year residency requirement for certain Oregon counties and a report required by December 1, 2003. The law expires on June 30, 2004.
SB 5629 ad	OFM agency requirements	C 260 L 02	3/29/2002	Patterson	SUPPORT

*-Governor signed into law-* Senate concurred on March 11. Passed the state House of Representatives 96-0 March 8. Passed the state Senate 49-0 on Feb. 1. Changing the office of financial management's budgeting, accounting, and reporting requirements for state agencies. State agencies no longer have to file equipment service contracts with the Office of Financial Management and payments may be made up to 12 months prior to the actual service. A House amendment requires OFM to develop mandatory guidelines for the management of personal service and client service contracts by state agencies and to provide training for state agency personnel entering into and managing personal service and client service contracts. OFM is also required to conduct risk-based audits of the contracting practices associated with personal service and client service contracts. The Attorney General and the State Auditor are required to provide an annual report to the Governor and to the Legislature of contract audit and investigative findings, enforcement actions, and the status of agency resolution.
E SSB 5674 f	Washington climate center	S Env/Engy/Wat	1/16/2002	EEW (Constantine)	Support

*-See House Bill 2326-* Establishes an independent, nonprofit organization called the Washington Climate Center. The center will serve as a clearinghouse for all climate change activities in the state and is funded through grants and voluntary cash and in-kind contributions. The center is made up of a board of directors appointed by the Governor. The board of directors may hire staff and take on volunteers. The Washington State University Energy Program and the University of Washington, Climate Impacts Group, may provide technical assistance and research to the center.
E2SSB 5770	Higher education tuition	S Rules 3	3/14/2002	WM (Kohl-Welles)	Concerns

*-Passed Senate, Died on the House Calendar at Sine Die-* Passed the state Senate 32-17 on March 7. This is the Senate Ways & Means Committee's proposed tuition legislation. As amended on the Senate floor, the bill limits tuition increases for non-resident and graduate programs in future years to 10 percent per year. The original legislation called for a ten percent reduction in tuition waivers which are offered by institutions including Washington State University. Those sections were stricken from the bill on the Senate floor. The original bill provided unlimited tuition-setting authority for all students other than resident undergraduates (now it is limited to 10 percent). It provides for 3.5 percent of the differential with resident undergraduates be deposited into student financial aid. In testimony on Feb. 26, WSU supported the tuition flexibility but was concerned about targetting waivers for explicit cuts in a year in which tuition will increase. Proponents of the bill indicated they had votes in both houses for legislation preferred by WSU but that time simply ran out for the bill.
SB 6235	Higher education/residency	S Higher Educ	1/14/2002	Carlson	Support

*-Died-* Bills in both houses failed to make legislative cut-off requirements. This bill provided that any child who has completed a full senior year at a Washington high school and obtained a diploma from that high school is permitted to pay resident tuition at Washington public universities and colleges if the student enrolls in such an institution within a year of receiving the diploma.
SB 6251 f	Administrative rule adoption	S Rules 3	3/14/2002	West	CONCERNS

*-Passed Senate, Died in the House-* Passed the state Senate 29-20 on Feb. 27. Relating to administrative rule adoption procedures; and amending RCW 34.05.360. When an agency adopts a bill under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the agency issues an order of adoption. This order is not required to contain the signature of the Governor. The bill would require the governor's signature. SEE ALSO # HB 2781 which did not meet the cutoff from the House State Government Committee.
SSB 6255	Aqtc lands/sale of material	S Rules 2	2/4/2002	NPS (Jacobsen)	NEUTRAL

*-Died-* Determining a "highest responsible bidder" for valuable materials on state-owned lands. Provides that to determine the "highest responsible bidder" under RCW 79.90.210, the department of natural resources shall be entitled to consider, in addition to price, whether the bidder was the highest responsible bidder" for a sale within the previous five years but failed to complete the sale such as by not entering into a resulting contract or by not paying the difference between the deposit and the total amount due. SEE ALSO # HB 2310
SB 6256 d	State lands/sale of material	S Nat/Prk/Shor	1/14/2002	Jacobsen	CONCERNS

*-Died-* Streamlining the process of selling valuable materials from state land. Prior to selling valuable materials, the DNR must widely advertise during a 4-week period. The advertisement must specify the place, date, and time of sale, the minimum bid, and the estimated volume. The terms of sale must also be made available in the region headquarters and the department's Olympia office. The commissioner of public lands may use any means of advertising available to reach as many prospective interested parties as possible.
SSB 6257 a$	Contract harvesting/timber	S Rules 3	3/15/2002	NPS (Jacobsen)	Support House Version

*-Bill died in dispute between the two Houses-* The Senate refused to concur with House amendments, which WSU supports, on March 11. Passed the state House of Representatives 77-20 on March 5. The key House amendment supported by WSU that opens up sales of timber under the terms of this bill to new bidders. Only 10 percent of the annual volume of timber may be harvested by this system. Passed the state Senate 49-0 on Feb. 16. The current system for distributing money received from the state trust timber sales does not allow the Department of Natural Resources the ability to contract out the harvest of timber. The Department of Natural Resources would, if department contract logging is authorized, sell different types of log sorts directly to log buyers.The department is given authority in the bill to contract for the removal of timber from state lands. Appeal procedures are added to allow contract loggers to have a hearing if they are denied access to the approved contract logger list. Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties are excluded from the department contract logging program
SSB 6270	Higher education	S Rules 2	2/6/2002		Neutral

*-Bill died-* The bill failed to make the Feb. 19 deadline to consider bills from the opposite committee. Provides for a two-year term of office for student members of governing boards of institutions of higher education. Amendment requires existing Board of Regents to approve each student regent's term for one year or two year.
SSB 6285	Air pollution/vehicles	S Ways & Means	2/4/2002	EEW (Regala)

*-Bill died-* Providing incentives to reduce air pollution through the use of clean alternative fuel vehicles.
SB 6295	Access to education	S Judiciary	1/14/2002	Jacobsen

*-Bill died-* The bill failed to make the Feb. 8 deadline to pass out of the original policy committee. The bill would have exempted higher education institutions from the provisions of Initiative 200.
E SSB 6347 $	Transportation funding	C 201 L 02 PV	3/27/2002	TRAN (Haugen)

*-Governor signed into law-* *-Partial Veto-* Passed the state Senate 43-5 on the final day of session. Passed the state House 78-20 on the final day of session. Project-specific appropriations are made to the Department of Transportation for preservation and improvement projects. The total appropriation is $1.24 billion for the 2001-2003 biennium. SEE ALSO # HB 2452 Get the partial veto message.
SB 6367	Higher education/ residency	S Higher Educ	1/16/2002	Honeyford	Support

*-Died-* The bill failed to make the Feb. 19 deadline to pass out of the original house. A student that has graduated from a Washington high school, or received the equivalent of a high school diploma, and resided with his or her parent, guardian or conservator while attending high school is permitted to pay resident tuition at Washington public universities or colleges if the student has resided in this state for at least five years as of the date they graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma. See also, House Bil;l 2330.
SSB 6369	Credit cards	S Rules 2	3/1/2002	LCF (Kohl-Welles)

*-Died-* The bill failed to make the Feb. 19 deadline to pass out of the original house. Credit card issuers may not issue credit cards to a Washington resident under the age of 21 unless meeting certain conditions, requiring the applicant to list other sources of credit. The applicant must qualify for credit under reasonable and prudent industry standards. The prohibition on sale or transfer of student information to card issuers is deleted.
SB 6378 fo	LEOFFRS plan 2	C 28 L 02	3/12/2002	Spanel

*-Governor Signed Into Law-* Passed the state Senate 41-0 on Feb. 15. It passed the state House of Representatives 97-0 on March 5. This relates to the retirement plans for Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters. Currently, if officers and firefighters who to take a part-time leave of absence are ineligible for LEOFF 2 membership during that period because the member is not considered a full-time, fully compensated eligible employee. Under these circumstances, the member is not permitted to earn or purchase service credit for that period. The bill adds a part-time leave of absence provision for existing law enforcement members of LEOFF 2. The part-time leave must be authorized by the member's employer, and the member is prohibited from other employment with the employer during the part-time leave. The member may purchase service credit for the portion of time worked during the part-time leave of absence and, upon return to full-time employment, may purchase service credit for periods of part-time leave up to the existing two-year limit by paying the member, employer, and state contributions, plus interest, within five years of returning to full-time employment. See also House Bill 2391.
SB 6381 fo	PERS	C 62 L 02	3/21/2002	Fraser

*-Governor Signed Into Law-* Passed the state Senate 42-6 on Feb. 15. Passed the state House of Representatives 94-0 on March 8. The bill provides that a PERS 1 member who: separates from service after January 1, 2002; is age 50 or older, has at least 20 years of service; and is not retired as of the effective date of the bill, may begin receiving an unreduced retirement allowance at age 60 (instead of the age 65 requirement for separating from service.) . This new provision does not apply to members who have withdrawn all or part of their contributions. . SEE ALSO # HB 2394
E SSB 6387 a$	Supplemental operatng budget	C 371 L 02 PV	4/4/2002	WM (Brown)	Support

*-Senate Supplemental Operating Budget Bill-* *-Signed by governor-* *-Partial Veto-* In its final form, this is the Supplemental Operating Budget which has passed the Legislature. The Senate concurred with the House amendments on March 14, on a 26-22 vote. It passed the House hours earlier on a 50-48 vote. This description does not yet reflect the final version of the bill, which provided for a 16 percent tuition increase at WSU but the 7 percent cut level was closer to the original House level. The final bill also carries a House amendment that requires the state auditor to contract for a performance audit of state claims benefits administration. This information will be updated. This originally was the Senate's Supplemental Operating Budget bill, which was approved by the state Senate 26-23 on March 9. The budget cuts WSU 9.3 percent, a $19.5 million reduction that hits graduate students hard. The cuts sliced far deeper into the WSU budget than the 6.2 percent, $13 million cuts proposed to the Legislature by Gov. Gary Locke. The Senate proposal reduced $2 million in student tuition waiver funding for WSU and $1.9 million in elimination of the so-called "subsidy" for non-resident graduate students. A committee amendment eliminated the waiver reduction requirement but retained the cuts. Resident undergraduate tuition is allowed to increase 14 percent. Faculty and staff compensation packages are trimmed to just 1.5 percent cost-of-living adjustments and eventually eliminated by an amendment in the Ways and Means Committee. There is a proviso that apparently seeks to protect cooperative extension and a provision for sale of 10 percent of WSU's agricultural trust land for financial diversification. Get the partial veto message, which includes deletion of recruitment and retention funds (PDF Format)
E SB 6396 a$e	Supplemental capital budget	C 238 L 02 PV	3/28/2002	Fairley	Support House Version

*-Supplemental Capital Budget-* *-Governor Signed Into Law-* *-Partial Veto-* There were no vetoes to the higher education sections of the bill. The House version was approved by the House Capital Budget Committee 9-8 on March 11 but the entire proposal faced stiff opposition from House Republicans on the floor. Approved by the State Senate on a 47-2 vote on Feb. 26. The bill was amended by the House Capital Budget Committee and by the floor of the House. Both the Senate-passed version and the House construction budget provides enough funding to continue projects approved by the Legislature in 2001. The original bill recommended by the governor added $6 million in economic stimulus monies for WSU that are now excluded from the budget that passed the Senate. WSU testified for adding the stimulus monies back into the bill in hearings before fiscal committees in both houses. House Democratic leaders proposed that $4.5 million in economic stimulus monies be added for WSU. That was later lowered to $3 million on the House floor. Eligible projects for funding at WSU include $1.2 million for Mount Vernon, Othello, Lind, Wenatchee and Royal City experiment units. It could also add $250,000 for a new elevator at Kalkus Hall at WSU Puyallup. It could provide $435,000 to upgrade the water system at WSU Prosser. It may provid $500,000 for the F.O. Berg Building in Spokane; $450,000 toward the Library Road pedestrian mall in Pullman, $575,000 for work on Stadium Way, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in safety improvements throughout the WSU system. SEE ALSO # HB 2510 Get the partial veto message.
SSB 6426 a	Sick leave	C 243 L 02	3/29/2002	LCF (Keiser)

*-Governor Signed Into Law-* If, under a collective bargaining agreement or employer policy, an employee is entitled to sick leave or other paid time off, the employer must allow the employee to use the employee's choice of that leave to care for the employee's child with a health condition that requires treatment or supervision, or the employee's spouse, parent, parent-in-law, or grandparent who has a serious health condition or an emergency condition. The employee must comply with the terms of the agreement or policy applicable to the leave, except for terms relating to the choice of leave. Opponents included the Association of Washington Business. Passed the state Senate 38-10 on Feb. 15. Passed the House with amendments 96-0 on March 8. The Senate concurred with the House amendments on March 12.
E SSB 6428 a	Agency loss prevention	C 333 L 02	4/3/2002	JUD (Sheldon, B.)

*-Governor Signed Into Law-* Passed the state House of Representatives 89-4 on March 7. Passed the state Senate 48-0 on Feb. 14 and is now under consideration by the governor. Recommended by the governor's Risk Management Task Force. Whenever the death or serious injury of a person, or other substantial loss, is alleged or suspected to be caused in part by the actions of a state agency, the director of the Office of Financial Management (OFM) must appoint a loss prevention review team, unless the director determines the incident does not merit review. A loss prevention review team may also be appointed by the director of OFM if agency policies, management practices, or litigation practices result in a substantial loss. SEE ALSO # SHB 2353
SB 6438	Agriculture & gardn research	S Ag&Intl Trde	1/17/2002	Jacobsen	Oppose

*-Died-* WSU testified in opposition to this bill in the Senate Agriculture and International Trade Committee on Feb. 6, 2002. All assets at Washington State University's research and extension centers located in Puyallup and Mt. Vernon must be transferred to the western Washington center for agriculture and garden research created in section 1 of this act by June 30, 2002.
SSB 6440 f	Collective bargaining	S Rules 2	2/12/2002	LCF (Prentice)	NEUTRAL

*See Substitute House Bill 2403* Providing for collective bargaining at four-year institutions of higher education. SEE ALSO # 2 SHB 2403, which appears to be the vehicle for this legislation.
SB 6448 $	All-hazards warning system	S Ec Dev&Tele	1/17/2002	Kastama

*-Died-* Relating to the establishment of a statewide all-hazards public warning system requiring all public facilities to use tone alert weather radios; adding a new section to chapter 70.54 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.
SSB 6450	Clean energy/clean vehicles	S Rules 2	2/6/2002

*-Died-* Relating to the aggregated purchasing of clean energy and clean vehicles; amending RCW 43.19.1905, 43.19.570, 43.19.637, and 19.29A.090; and creating a new section.
SB 6457 a	Athlete agents	C 131 L 02	3/26/2002	Carlson	SUPPORT

*-Governor signed into law-* Passed the state House of Representatives 97-0 on March 5. Passed the state Senate 48-0 on Feb. 12. This bill creates requirements for agents dealing with student athletes. Agents initiating contact with student athletes must provide a disclosure form. Required elements of the contracts are specified, including a disclaimer that students may lose their eligibility if they sign the contract. Agents must inform the athletic director of signing. Institutions have a right of action if they are damaged by an agents' conduct. WSU tesified for the bill, seeking to protect its student athletes from agents who engage in unsavory business practices.
SSB 6477	Principals & vice principals	S Rules 2 G	2/14/2002	EDU (McAuliffe)

*-See Substitute House Bill 2415-* Relating to qualifications for public school principals and vice principals; and amending RCW 28A.400.100. SEE ALSO # SHB 2415
SSB 6478	Prof educator standards brd	S Rules 3	3/14/2002	EDU (McAuliffe)	Support

*-See Houe Bill 2414-* The terms of the initial members of the WPESB must be staggered so that the terms of members representing a specific group do not all expire at the same time. Passage of the subject knowledge tests developed by the WPESB is required for teacher certification purposes starting September 1, 2005. SEE ALSO # SHB 2414
SSB 6504	Higher education	S Rules 3	3/14/2002	HIE (Kohl-Welles)	Support

*-Bill died in the House Higher Education Committee-* Passed the state Senate 47-0 on Feb. 18 never cleared the House Higher Education Committee. The original bill said the term branch campus is no longer used in statute and each of the five campuses are named individually: University of Washington Tacoma, University of Washington Bothell, Washington State University Vancouver, Washington State UniversityTri-Cities, and Washington State University Spokane. Bill was amended in committee to utilize actual WSU campus names. The House policy committee indicated that UW and WSU have implemented the names and no change in statute are necessary.
E SSB 6528	Public works	S Rules 3	3/14/2002	SLG (Keiser)	Serious Concerns

*-Senate-passed bill died March 8 on the House Calendar-* Under the original legislation, Washington State University would be required to use a new process for bidding for publicly funded projects. This sets up new standards for determining the lowest responsible bidders. This determination must be made based on price and the low bidder's answers to a questionnaire that covers issues of the contractor's ability, capacity and skill; reputation and experience; history of completing contracts on time; quality of past performance; and compliance with applicable laws. WSU testified on Feb. 26 that this bill will be cumbersome to the process and that current procurement laws on the books cover these situations. The House State Government Committee intended to exempt Higher Education from the bill but WSU remains concerned whether the exemption was adequate.
SB 6541	PERS plan 2/early retirement	S Ways & Means	1/21/2002	Fraser

*-Died-* Relating to retiring early in the public employees' retirement system, plan 2; and amending RCW 41.40.630. Eliminates specific references to actuarially reducing benefits for employees that utilize exising early retirement and alternate retirement benefits. SEE ALSO # HB 2044.
SB 6557 af	Higher ed coordinating board	C 348 L 02 PV	4/3/2002	Kohl-Welles

*-Governor Signed Into Law-* Passed the state House of Representative 93-0 on March 6. Passed the state Senate 46-0 on Feb. 6. The members of the HECB are given the authority to select from their membership a chair and vice-chair who serve a one-year term as chair or vice-chair. This new process for selecting a chair and vice-chair does not take effect until the term of the current chair is over. All members of the HECB serve four-year terms with no exception for the chair.
SB 6565 f#	Apprenticeship utilization	S Transportat	2/8/2002	Costa	OPPOSE

*-Bill died in the Senate Transportation Committee-* Relating to apprenticeship utilization requirements; and adding new sections to chapter 39.04 RCW. WSU estimates the impact on construction costs of this bill could result in 3% to 5% increases in construction costs. With additional staffing requirements, the fiscal impact could total $850,000 to $1,100,000 per year. Originally in Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions Committee in the Senate, referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.These requirements can be waived if agency directors demonstrate that there is a lack of available apprentices for a given project, if there is a disproportionately high ratio of material costs to labor hours, or if agency directors make other arguments that are accepted by the Department of Labor and Industries. (See Also, House Bill 2630.)
SSB 6597 f#	Public works contracting	C 46 L 02	3/14/2002	SLG (Winsley)


SSB 6626	Branch campuses	S Rules 3	3/14/2002	HIE (Kohl-Welles)	Support

*-See SB 6387-* Passed the state Senate 42-6 on Feb. 13. It never was passed by the state House of Representatives but similar study language was incorporated into the supplemental operating budget bill. The original bill directed the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) to review and evaluate the missions of the branch campuses to determine the extent to which the intent of the Legislature has been met and to provide empirical data upon which to make decisions about the future mission and structure of the branch campuses. WSU campuses affected by the review are WSU Tri-Cities, WSU Vancouver, and WSU Spokane. WSU has its own internal review of branch campuses and was supportive of the legislation. Voting no were Deccio, Finkbeiner, Hochstatter, McCaslin, McDonald, Morton. The 1989 Legislature created branch campuses of the University of Washington and Washington State University to provide upper-division and graduate programs in the under-served urban areas of the state.
SB 6628 fo	Campus police officers	C 110 L 02	3/22/2002	Kohl-Welles	Support

*-Governor Signed Into Law-* Passed the state House of Representatives 93-0 on March 6. Passed the state Senate 49-0 on Feb. 16. Provides that the probationary period of campus police officer appointees shall extend from 1) the date of appointment until twelve months from the date of successful completion of the basic law enforcement academy or 2) 12 months from the date of appointment if academy training is not required. WSU supports the bill because currently there is very little time to review an officer after he or she gets out of the academy and is on the street. Current policy results in five months of observation time being lost while the officer is in the academy. (See also, House Bill 2685.)
SSB 6640	National guard	S Rules 3	3/14/2002	HIE (Rasmussen)	Support

*-Passed Senate, died in the House-* Passed the state Senate 46-0 on Feb. 18 and is now under consideration by sthe state House of Representatives. Members of the Washington National Guard often live in bordering states and do not qualify for higher education tuition at resident rates. The bill provides that Members of the Washington National Guard are included in the definition of "resident student" for tuition paying purposes. The National Guard reports this is a hardship when they are trying to recruit reserves from those in active military service. Currently active military personnel qualify for in-state tuition while reservists do not. Effectively waives a one-year residency requirement. SEE ALSO # HB 2386
SB 6646	Postretirement employment	S Ways & Means	1/24/2002	Prentice

*-Died-*
SB 6667 f	Ag products/state facilities	S Ag&Intl Trde	1/25/2002	Rasmussen	Neutral

*-See HB 2657-* The State Purchasing and Material Control Director must require that if available and competitively priced, Washington fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products must be purchased for use in state institutions and state-supported facilities. The bill may have fiscal impacts for WSU but also might help Washington commodity groups. SEE ALSO # HB 2657
SB 6707 e	Higher ed/tuition	S Higher Educ	1/28/2002	Jacobsen	Support

*-Died-* This is the Senate version of Governor Locke's Tuition Bill. The legislation gives unlimited tuition setting authority to the governing boards of all four- year institutions beginning in 2003-2004. Community college increases are limited to 10% The state continues to fund the State Need Grant to cover increases of up to 10% per year. The institutions are responsible for financial aid for increases above 10 percent. All 4 year institutions are required to have the 4 year graduation guarantee. WSU recommendationt adopted so that the guarantee agreement must be entered prior to enrollment. (see section 5(2)(b). The bill allows flexibility of rates by programs, campuses, courses, etc., so a special rate for programs like the Spokane Computer Engineering could be accommodated. Bill was heard in the Senate Higher Education Committee on Feb. 5. SEE ALSO # HB 2805
E2SSB 6718 f	Clean energy consumption	S Rules 3	3/14/2002	WM (Fraser)	Concerns

*-Died-* The staff bill report states that, according to the Washington State University Cooperative Extension Energy Program, net greenhouse gas emissions in Washington State are projected to increase from 1990 to 2010 at a rate substantially higher than the state's population growth during the same time frame. The most significant change in net emissions is attributable to the state's energy use, with the electric utility sector projected to show the largest percentage increase in its net emissions and the transportation sector projected to show the largest absolute increase in carbon dioxide emissions. The bill requires a state Energy Policy that includes adoption of a strategy to meet state government's energy needs with no net increase in emissions of greenhouse gases. UW and WSU have concerns about the bill because it gives no credit for energy consumption reductions that have already been achieved.
SSB 6721	State universities/research	S Rules 3	3/14/2002	WM (West)	Support

*- See HB 2736-* Passed the state Senate 45-3 on Feb. 18. Legislation requested by the University of Washington with no immediate impact on WSU, but the institution does support it. University governing boards may, in the case of certain land, buildings, facilities and equipment, borrow or pledge money, enter into long-term lease/purchasecontracts, and issue revenue bonds, certificates of participation and refinance said debt instruments without prior state approval. This authority is limited in scope to property for stand-alone enterprises like campus parking, dormitories, food services, infirmaries and hospitals; for recreational centers; and for student services of all kinds including registration, financial aid, testing, employment and advising (among others). SEE ALSO # SHB 2736
SB 6725	Agr research facilities	S Rules 3	3/14/2002	Rasmussen	Support

*-See House Bill 1938-* Passed the state Senate 46-0 on Feb. 15 but yielded to similar House legislation. This is the Eco-Terrorism bill. WSU testified in favor of the legislation on Feb. 6 in the Senate Agriculture and International Trade Committee. . The original bill provides that every person who goes onto the land of another and who removes timber, crops, minerals, or other similar valuable property from the land, or wrongfully causes waste or injury to the land, or wrongfully injures personal property or improvements to real estate on the land, is liable to the injured party for treble the amount of the damages caused by the removal, waste, or injury.
SB 6736	Higher education tuition	S Higher Educ	1/30/2002	Shin	Concerns

*-Died-* Limits tuition increases to 9.2 percent per year.
SB 6739	Higher education tuition	S Higher Educ	1/30/2002	Horn	Concerns

*-Died-* Creates a sliding scale for tuition at public colleges and universities. This would create 28 tuition rates at Washington State University. Institutions have concerns about the fiscal impact on financial aid. Bill was heard in the Senate Higher Education Committee on Feb. 5. SEE ALSO # HB 2871
SB 6744	Greenhouse gas mitigation	S Env/Engy/Wat	1/31/2002	Poulsen

*-Died-* The legislature finds that the present and predicted growth in energy demands in the state of Washington requires the development of a procedure for the selection and utilization of sites for energy facilities and the identification of a state position with respect to each proposed site. The legislature recognizes that the selection of sites will have a significant impact upon the welfare of the population, the location and growth of industry and the use of the natural resources of the state.
SB 6784 $	Performance audits	S St&Loc Govt	2/5/2002	Kastama	Concerns

*-Died, Referenced in Budget-* The bill establishes a performance audit standards and scorecard commission. One of the duties of the commission is 'conducting performance audits of state agencies and institutions of higher education.' Section 6 of the bill states '... the state auditor may conduct performance audits by the governor's performance audit standards and scorecard commission.' The State Auditor's Office recently determined that it would divert resources from its financial audits to audits of other activities. In diverting those resources, the SAO had eliminated an important element of its audit coverage; that of performing NACUBO financial statement audits. The NACUBO audits, to the majority of institutions of higher education, are an important, and required, element of its audit coverage. Because the SAO has chosen to divert its resources and no longer provide NACUBO financial statement audits, institutions of higher education must now contract externally for those audits. This will result in additional costs to institutions; costs which must be borne by the institutions, with no appropriations made available.
SB 6818 a	General obligation bonds	C 240 L 02	3/28/2002	Fairley	strongly Support

*-"Bonds bill" necessary to implement the capital construction budget-* *-Governor Signed Into Law-* Passed the state House of Representatives in a critical vote 63-45 on the final day of the legislative session. This construction bonds bill passed the state Senate 48-1 on Feb. 26. It narrowly passed out of the House Capital Budget Committee on March 11. This bill required a two-thirds vote on the floor of the House or Senate to pass. The State Finance Committee is authorized to issue up to $50 million of state general obligation bonds to finance projects appropriated in the 2001-03 supplemental Capital Budget. The authority is only for appropriations made in the 2001-03 biennium.The amended bill authorizes $50 million in debt limit bonds and includes a portion of the Real Estate Excise Tax in the calculation of general state revenues, while the original Senate bill authorized $175 million in bonds exempted from the debt limit and also exempted voter-approved bonds from the debt limit.
SB 6827	State health care benefits	S Ways & Means	3/4/2002	Rossi

*-See SB 6387-* Sponsored by the ranking Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee. Under current policies, the amount which the state contributes toward the cost of an employee's benefits is the same, regardless of salary level. The bill sets the percentage of their medical premium paid by the employee is to vary according to salary, as follows: $30,001 - $50,000 19% of premium; $45,001 - $60,000 29% of premium; $60,001 - $75,000 39% of premium; Over $75,000 49% of premium. The bill was not successful but language was included in the supplemental operating budget to address this issue.
SGA9082	JOE KING	S Confirm cal	4/18/2001		Support

JOE KING, reappointed August 8, 2000, for a term ending September 30, 2006, as a Member of the Board of Regents of the Washington State University.
SGA9184	DARREN EASTMAN	S Confirm cal	3/12/2002		Support

DARREN EASTMAN, appointed June 1, 2001, for a term ending May 30, 2002, as a Member of the Board of Regents of the Washington State University. Senate Higher Education hearing has been scheduled for February 25. Eastman's confirmation has been supported by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
SGA9202	STEVEN R. HILL	S Confirmed	3/13/2002		Support

*-Confirmed by the state Senate-* STEVEN R. HILL, appointed October 29, 2001, for a term ending September 30, 2007, as a Member of the Board of Regents of the Washington State University. He was confirmed by the state Senate on a 41-0 vote on March 13.

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