Legislative Information

WSU Bill Status

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.


Priority Bill List – Friday
April 18, 2003
Bill No Title Status Date Sponsor Recomnd.
Position
E SHB 1053 f Government accountability S Ways & Means 2/27/2003 SG (Miloscia) Concerns
Government Accountability Bill -Passed the state House of Representatives- Passed the state House of Representatives on Jan. 29. Establishes the Citizen Oversight Board to develop and implement an annual assessment and performance grading program for state agencies; and to work with the State Auditor in developing a work plan for conducting performance audits of state agencies. Input from citizens, state employees, state managers, the JLARC, public officials, and others will be sought. Agencies, programs, or systems identified for audit may be included in the work plan. The Board and the State Auditor will determine a time line for performance audits based on factors such as risk, importance, and citizen concerns. Audits will be designed to be completed within a period of six months. WSU has concerns that the audits duplicate accountability studies continually underway at the university.
E HB 1079 af Higher ed student residency S Passed 3rd 4/8/2003 Kenney Support
-Bill has passed the House & Senate in different forms-Resident tuition for migrant childrenPassed the state House 75-20. Passed the state Senate 48-0. The bill is intended to allow many children of migrant farmworkers living in Washington to be allowed to attend public universities for resident tuition rates. With the bill, a student will qualify as a resident student for tuition purposes if he/she: ·1) Attended at least three years of high school in Washington; ·2) Graduated from a Washington high school or obtained the equivalent of a diploma in Washington; and ·3) If the student is not a United States' citizen, he/she is required to submit an affidavit to the college or university stating he/she has applied, or will apply, for permanent United States residency. The Senate amendments state that:Students meeting the definition of resident as created by this bill are exempt from the definition of "nonresident" that is currently in statute. Rather than file an application for permanent residency prior to gaining a degree, the student must file an affidavit with the college or university indicating that the student will file an application for permanent residency as soon as he or she is eligible to do so and must indicate in the affidavit that he or she is willing to engage in any other activities necessary to acquire citizenship. Instead of three years of high school attendance, the individual must now live in the state for at least three years immediately prior to receiving the high school diploma or the equivalent of a diploma. The individual must live continuously in Washington after receiving the high school diploma or its equivalent and until such time as he or she is admitted to a college or university.
HB 1165 $e Capital budget H Cap Budget 1/20/2003 Dunshee Concerns
Governor's Capital Construction Budget Bill (House) The governor proposed an $82.6 million capital construction budget for the Pullman campus. It featured construction money for a Johnson Hall Addition, a $35.2 million project that will move many laboratories into state-of-the-art facilities. He also approved $11.16 million for an addition to Cleveland Hall, the headquarters for the WSU College of Education. There is also design money for an interdisciplinary biotechnology/life science building. Pre-design funds were provided for a Biomedical Sciences facility. Reference was made in the budget to a proposed Pullman wastewater treatment plant, but no funding was provided. No major construction dollars were provided for branch campuses, including the Spokane Academic Center. Statewide, The Governor's 2003-05 Capital Budget authorizes $2.364 billion in new capital projects, of which $1.2 million are financed with state general obligation bonds. (The related bond bill authorizes $926 million under the 7% statutory debt limit and the rest are excluded from the statutory debt limit.) Reappropriations of $1.7 billion are authorized for uncompleted projects approved in prior biennia. Agencies also are authorized to enter into a variety of financing contracts, not debt-limit financing funded using operating revenue.provements.
HB 1280 o State university research C 6 L 03 3/19/2003 Murray Support
Technical Correction  -Passed the Washington Legislature-  Revises provisions for financing contracts for state university research facilities or equipment. See also, Senate Bill 5303. Passed the House 97-0 and the Senate 48-1, with Sen. Poulsen voting no.
HB 1366 $e Operating budget 2003-05 H Approp 1/23/2003 Sommers Concerns
Governor's Biennial Operating Budget Bill (House) This legislation was originally introduced at the request of Gov. Gary Locke. Makes 2003-05 operating appropriations. So far it continues to carry the original budget offered by the governor but the House may choose to use this as the vehicle for its own budget. Facing more than a $2.5 billion shortfall in state revenues, Locke proposed a two-year budget that cuts Washington State University funding $31.4 million or about 8 percent. It provides no general salary increases for state employees, including university faculty. It increased the costs of employee-paid benefits. It provided no funding for the College of Veterinary Medicine and other core funding needs at WSU.See also, Companion Senate Bill 5404.
HB 1422 Pblc investment in higher ed H Higher Educ 1/24/2003 Pflug Oppose
  -Bill appears to be dead for this year-  Declares that it is the policy of the state that a greater focus of the public investment in higher education be to support educational and degree programs in priority academic disciplines. Priority academic disciplines are those that prepare individuals for occupations necessary for the state's overall economic and social well-being over the medium and long term. Declares that, beginning with the 2003-2005 biennium, it is the intent to begin implementation of this policy at the four-year institutions of higher education through the state funds appropriated to each college and university. Intends to create an ongoing process for reprioritization of the public investment in higher education.
SHB 1437 Higher edu tuition H Approp 3/5/2003 HE (Kenney) Support
Governor's Tuition Legislation   -Bill necessary to implement the budget-  Allows the Washington State University Board of Regents the authority to establish tuition rates for all students other than resident undergraduates. Has passed the House Higher Education Committee but is currently being held in the House Appropriations Committee. In the substitute, The institutional tuition-setting authority in the bill lasts only for a six-year period. A statement of legislative intent regarding additional financial aid for needy resident students is added. The policy regarding increases in services and activities fees is clarified. See also, Senate Bill 5448.
E HB 1453 f Higher edu credit transfer S Higher Educ 3/11/2003 Kenney Concerns
Student Transfer Bill  -Passed the state House of Representatives-   Passed the House on March 10, 95-0. Seeks to make improvements to the statewide transfer of credit policy and agreement through the following initiatives: (1) Improved ease of transfer of general education courses between institutions; and (2) Development of transfer degrees for specific academic majors. Requires the higher education coordinating board, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the council of presidents, in partnership, to convene a work group to recommend changes to the statewide transfer of credit policy and agreement as provided in this act. The work group shall include representatives from each of the public four-year institutions of higher education and a broad sample of community and technical colleges.
SHB 1458 f Retirement incentive program H Rules C 3/25/2003 APP (Alexander)  
Early retirement bill  -Bill appears to be in trouble-   Employers of PERS, SERS, and TRS members who are experiencing a significant reduction in force, the closure of a facility, or the privatization of services may offer a retirement incentive program to employees. If offered by an employer, the retirement incentive program permits employees within five years of normal retirement to retire with a 3 percent per year reduction for each year of difference between the employee's age and normal retirement. For employees not within five years of normal retirement, they may retire with full actuarial reduction of benefits. For employees already eligible for a normal retirement allowance, an employer may offer other appropriate retirement incentives.An employer providing a retirement incentive program is required to pay the full actuarial present value of any increase in cost to the retirement systems. An employee accepting an employer's retirement incentive is prohibited from receiving retirement benefits and resuming employment with that employer. In addition, any employee accepting an employer's offer t o retire under an incentive program will have his or her retirement benefits suspended upon working more than 867 hours of postretirement employment for any state retirement system-participating employer. The act expires June 30, 2004.
SHB 1486 Higher edu tuition exemption S Higher Educ 3/13/2003 HE (O'Brien)  
  -Passed the state House of Representatives-  Exempts the surviving spouse and children of certain law enforcement officers or fire fighters from paying tuition and fees. Passed the House 93-0 on March 11.
SHB 1532 Smoking in residence halls S Hea/L-T Care 3/16/2003 HC (Quall) Amendments
Dorm Smoking Bill   -Passed the state House of Representatives-  Provides that no person may smoke, including carrying or smoking any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other lighted smoking equipment, in a publicly owned residence hall at a public institution of higher education. WSU has proposed an amendment that would delay the implementation date until Fall of 2004 and add definitions of residence halls. The amendment defining resident halls was adopted by the House Health Care Committee. However, the bill currently provides for the ban to take effect 90 days after passage of the bill. WSU continues to be in discussions with bill proponents.
SHB 1706 Promise scholarship H Approp 3/5/2003 HE (Mastin) Neutral
Revises Promise Scholarships  -Bill appears to be in trouble-  A new category of students is made eligible, on a pilot basis, for a Washington Promise Scholarship along with those who are eligible under current law. Beginning with the graduating class of 2004 and ending with the class of 2006, each principal of a public or private high school can nominate students to receive a Promise Scholarship. Nominations are for students who have overcome physical, personal, cultural, or financial barriers to their educational success and give evidence of a desire and commitment to complete a postsecondary program. The financial and academic eligibility criteria of the existing Promise Scholarship Program do not apply to these students. Originally passed by the House Higher Education Committee.
SHB 1789 Capital bdgt project savings S Ways & Means 3/13/2003 CB (Blake) Concerns
$250,000 Limit Bill  -Passed the state House of Representatives-  This legislation would allow the university to keep half of construction project savings over $250,000. The university testified Feb. 19 to the House Capital Budget Committee. WSU urged legislators to consider a mechanism that would allow it, under certain circumstances, to retain 100 percent of project savings. The committee made only minor changes. Passed the House 93-0 on March 11.
E SHB 1803 Rec & conservation trust S Pks/Fish/Wil 3/19/2003 AGNR (Linville) Amendment Urged
Legacy Trust Bill  -Passed the state House of Representatives-  Declares it is the intent of this act to establish the legacy trust for recreation and conservation, for the sole purpose of generating a stable, long-term revenue source to support recreational access and use on state-owned lands, and maintenance of designated natural areas and conservation areas, and where consistent with this purpose, to help retain working commercial forest land in the legacy trust as a vital component of Washington state's landscape. WSU prefers language advocaed by the Nature Conservancy which would identify a dedicated funding source to purchase the university's trusts.
E HB 1808 f Research universities Del to Gov 4/15/2003 Kenney Neutral
EWU Engineering Bill (House Version)   -Passed the Legislature-  Under the original House version of the bill, Electrical engineering as a major line of study is no longer restricted only to the UW or WSU, as requested by Eastern Washington University.
E SHB 1827 a Meningococcal immunization S Passed 3rd 4/16/2003 HC (Moeller) Support Senate Version
Meningitis Bill (House Version)  -Passed the state House of Representatives and Senate in different forms-   WSU has expressed concerns that the provisions of this legislation goes beyond the requirements of the Centers for Disease Control and other leaders in the medical community. It provides that each degree-granting public or private postsecondary educational institution that provides on-campus or group housing shall provide information on meningococcal disease to each first-time student who has been accepted for admission. The information about meningococcal disease shall include: (1) Symptoms, risks, especially as the risks relate to circumstances of group living arrangements, and treatment; (2) A recommendation that each first-time student receive the vaccination to prevent the student from contracting the disease and where the vaccination can be received; and (3) A response form with space in which to indicate that the first-time student has received the information about meningococcal disease and the availability of the vaccine to prevent the student from contracting the disease, whether or not he or she has chosen to receive the vaccination, and his or her signature. In the case of a student who is a minor, the student's parent or guardian shall sign the response form on behalf of the minor student. See also, SSB 5828.
SHB 1829 af Postretirement employment S Passed 3rd 4/9/2003 APP (Bailey) Neutral
PERS Re-entry Bill>  -Passed the state House of Representatives and Senate-  Currently, Retired members of Plan 1 of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) or the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) may re-enter employment with an eligible employer within one month of retiring are subject to a benefit reduction. The reduction is equal to 5.5 percent of the monthly benefit amount for every eight hours worked that month, and is applied until such time as the retiree remains absent from eligible employment for at least one full calendar month. This legislation discourages agreements with the employer in advance and lengthens the absent period to three months.
HB 1908 e Higher edu facilities H Cap Budget 2/14/2003 Dunshee Support
Evans-Gardner Capital Construction Bill (House Version) Proposed initially by former Washington governors Dan Evans and Booth Gardner, the legislation is intended to expand capital construction funding for the state’s community colleges and the four-year baccalaureate institutions over the next 10 years. Legislators are considering amendments that would also expand construction projects for K-12 schools. By increasing bonding capacity for higher education construction, this bill would likely result in additional funding this biennium for campus infrastructure projects. WSU could receive up to $8 million from the Evans-Gardner proposal, compared to $3 million recommended by Gov. Gary Locke. More importantly, the proposal is also expected to provide longterm funding for a WSU Biotechnology Life Sciences Building, a new Nursing building at Spokane’s Riverpoint Campus, a Prosser Agriculture Biosciences Building, a WSU Vancouver Business Education Building, and a WSU building co-located on the campus of Columbia Basin College.
SHB 1909 af Higher edu credit transfer S Passed 3rd 4/11/2003 HE (Jarrett)  
Competency bill  -Passed the state House of Representatives and Senate-  Selects colleges and universities to participate in a pilot project to define student transfer standards in selected academic disciplines on the basis of student competencies. Provides that, in collaboration with the higher education coordinating board, the pilot project participants shall report to the higher education committees of the legislature by December 1, 2004, on the progress and status of the pilot project. The report shall identify any barriers encountered by the project and make recommendations for next steps in developing a competency-based transfer system for higher education. In the substitute bill, accredited private career colleges are added to the list of pilot project participants. The due dates for the work plan, report to the Legislature, and expiration of the pilot are each delayed by one year. Participants must structure their work so that development costs are absorbed within existing budgets. Expires June 30, 2005.
HB 1934 Credit card applications H Higher Educ 2/17/2003 McCoy Concerns
Student Credit Card Bill  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-   Requires institutions of higher education to ban the administration of credit card applications on site of a college campus and to encourage young adults to establish credit in a more responsible manner.
HB 1953 f Contract adm overhead costs H State Govt 2/18/2003 Kagi Oppose
University indirect cost bill  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-   This legislation limited the amount that universities like WSU can collect from other agencies for indirect costs. The limit is placed at 10 percent. WSU testified that the current system gives flexibility (and that WSU determines when we can subsidize other state agencies.) The legislation could result in a $200,000 budget cut to the university.
HB 1997 Higher edu overenrollment H Higher Educ 2/19/2003 Cox Concerns
Tuition Surcharge Bill   -See Substitute Senate Bill 5135-  Declares an intent to provide policy tools to assist the institutions of higher education in managing overenrollment of students, including students who may be enrolling in Washington institutions with resident status who should be considered nonresidents. Declares an intent to encourage students to make prudent choices and maximize the taxpayer investment in supporting their higher education. Students who are not making wise use of the opportunities provided by public institutions of higher education should not expect public support of their education to continue indefinitely.
SHB 2011 Pharmaceutical companies H Rules X 4/7/2003 HC (Schual-Berke)  
  -Survived March 5 Deadline-  Provides that any contract between the administrator or any other agency administering a state purchased health care program and a pharmacy benefit management company must include the following provisions: (1) Disclosure of any agreements between the pharmacy benefit management company and a pharmaceutical manufacturer, its contractors, or an affiliate of a pharmaceutical manufacturer related to the use of that pharmaceutical manufacturer's products. Agreements to be disclosed include but are not limited to: (a) Agreements for the submission of data to pharmaceutical manufacturers or their contractors and any remuneration received from the manufacturer for supplying the data; (b) Rebate agreements or contracts with pharmaceutical manufacturers related to use of that manufacturer's products or the use of another manufacturer's products; (c) Payments by a drug manufacturer to the pharmacy benefits management company for switching consumer purchases to a drug produced or distributed by that pharmaceutical manufacturer; and (d) Any other payment to the pharmacy benefit management company by a pharmaceutical manufacturer or its contractors; and (2) An affirmative statement that the pharmacy benefits management company will be capable of administering, and agree to abide by the terms of, any preferred drug list developed for use by state purchased health care programs.
E SHB 2089 f Veterans' tuition waivers S Higher Educ 3/19/2003 HE (McCoy)  
  -Passed the state House of Representatives-  Provides that, subject to the limitations in RCW 28B.15.910, the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and the community colleges, shall waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for the following persons: (1) An eligible veteran or national guard member; (2) A child and the spouse of an eligible veteran or national guard member who became totally disabled as defined in RCW 28B.15.385 while engaged in active federal military or naval service, or who is determined by the federal government to be a prisoner of war or missing in action; (3) A child and the surviving spouse of an eligible veteran or national guard member who lost his or her life while engaged in active federal military or naval service. However, upon remarriage, the surviving spouse of an eligible veteran or national guard member is ineligible for a waiver under this act. Repeals RCW 28B.10.265, 28B.15.620, 28B.15.625, 28B.15.628, and 28B.15.629.
HB 2092 f Students on military duty H Higher Educ 2/25/2003 Condotta  
  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-  Under current law, students who may be activated or deployed to the Persian Gulf region during the current or next academic year may be ineligible for a financial aid repayment exemption or a tuition waiver upon return under existing Persian Gulf veterans' provisions. The bill would provide those benefits, which have gone to other war veterans, to Persian Gulf veterans.
SHB 2111 af Higher edu performance S Passed 3rd 4/11/2003 HE (Priest) Support
Performance Compacts   -Passed the state House of Representatives and Senate-  The bill studies using performance contracts between the state and Higher Education institutions like WSU. In the substitute bill, a task force will examine the experience of other states in developing and implementing such contracts. The theory behind the contracts is that in return for evidence of achieving desired results, the state would reduce its micromanagement of institutions. The amended bill will consider the feasibility of implementing contracts in Washington; and identify whether amendments to current laws are needed. A task force will also develop guidelines and possible models for contracts and report prior to the 2004 Legislature.
HB 2113 f Financial aid refunds S Passed 3rd 4/17/2003 Morrell Support
Student Refund Bill   -Passed the state House of Representatives and Senate-  Allows Washington State University to provide maximum tuition refunds to students who withdraw from school before the end of a quarter or semester. Championed by the Washington Student Lobby, the legislation allows for a refund that will cover most of the cost of financial aid that needs to be repaid. The legislation may also apply to other colleges and universities that choose to implement the practice.
E SHB 2151 Higher edu capital projects S 2nd Reading 4/17/2003 CB (Alexander) Concerns
Construction Ranking Bill   -Passed the state House of Representatives-  Originally sponsored by Rep. Gary Alexander, this legislation seeks to provide a single ranked list of proposed construction projects for higher education to be submitted to the Legislature for consideration each biennium. Currently, the Legislature considers ranked lists submitted directly by Washington State University for its projects. Under this latest proposal, the public four-year institutions would develop their own combined project ranking list in consultation with the Council of Presidents and the Higher Education Coordinating Board. If the four-year list is not approved by each Board of Regents or completed by a specific deadline, then the HEC Board prepares the list. Some amendments supported by WSU have been incorporated into the bill. WSU has continuing concerns about provisions which would direct the HEC Board to combine this list with another list submitted by community colleges. WSU supports a list which separates research universities and branch campuses from other sectors in higher education.
HB 2163 f Credit card applications H Higher Educ 2/28/2003 McCoy Concerns
  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-  This legislation requires credit card companies to register with Washington State University before they can solicit business from students on campus. The companies would also be restricted in how they advertised their products on campus. It would not be legal to give out free merchandise. Institutions of higher education are prohibited from selling student information to credit card companies and are required to maintain a no contact list for students' voluntary participation.
SHB 2184 Higher education facilities S Ways & Means 3/19/2003 CB (McIntire) Support
  -Passed the state House of Representatives-  Directs the Office of Financial Management, in consultation with the higher education coordinating board and higher education institutions, to establish and maintain a system to collect and assemble existing facility data at the various institutions and translate this information into a comparable framework to create a statewide uniform building inventory and condition system. This process must seek to minimize the needed changes to current systems at the individual institutions. Requires a report to the legislature each December on progress made in establishing the inventory and condition system. WSU successfully requested that these reports be made biennially.
HCR4405 Legacy trust proposal H Agric & NR 3/5/2003 Linville Support
Legacy Trust Study Resolution Resolves that a joint select committee on the Legacy Trust proposal be established to consider, study, and review the Legacy Trust proposal brought forward by the commissioner of public lands for establishing a stable, long-term revenue source to support recreational access and use on state-owned lands, and to consider any alternate methods to achieve the same goals. WSU supports the alternative being advanced by the Nature Conservancy and others which would purchase trust lands from the universities.
SB 5007 f Agriculture/garden research S Agriculture 1/13/2003 Jacobsen Opposed
Privatizing Western Washington Stations  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-  All assets at the Washington State University's research and extension centers in Puyallup and Mount Vernon must be transferred to the Western Washington Center for Agriculture and Garden Research by June 30, 2003. The center is a quasi-administrative unit of Washington State University and must be a nonprofit and self-supporting membership organization. The center must require membership dues and may accept gifts. WSU testified against this legislation and outlined plans for upgrading the Mount Vernon and Puyallup research stations.
SB 5010 Branch campuses S Higher Educ 1/13/2003 Jacobsen  
  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-  Authorizes branch campuses to offer lower-division coursework. By offering access to lower-division coursework required for completion of specific degree programs in particular branch campus locations, the bill indicates that branch campuses will provide an even greater opportunity to local communities and placebound students.
SB 5131 Library computers S Judiciary 1/15/2003 Swecker Concerns
  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-  The Attorney General or county prosecuting attorney may apply to the superior court for an order authorizing the seizure of library computers used to access web sites or files depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and other records containing the identity of library patrons who had access to library computers used to access these web sites or files. The application: (a) must be based on facts and circumstances supporting a reasonable belief that the library computers were used to access web sites or files depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct; and (b) that there are no other readily available means to obtain the identity of library patrons who used the library computers to access these web sites or files. The order is valid for 15 days and may be extended for an additional 15 days. Libraries providing internet access must notify users of these provisions.
SB 5134 f Border county higher ed S Pres signed 4/14/2003 Carlson Support
Border County Bill  -Passed the state Senate-  The Border County Higher Education Opportunities Project is made permanent. The residency requirement for eligible Oregon students is returned to a 90-day period. This bill creates opportunities for higher education at WSU-Vancouver and WSU- Tri-Cities for residents of Oregon counties bordering Washington through the financial incentive afforded by the resident status for fee purposes.
E2SSB 5135 af Higher ed tuition fees H Passed 3rd 4/17/2003 WM (Carlson) Prefer House Version
Tuition Surcharge Bill  -Passed the state Senate and House-   WSU testified with concerns about this bill that have been addressed in the House version of the bill In the Senate bill, resident undergraduate students who accumulate more than 125 percent of the credits required to complete their respective baccalaureate degree at a public four-year institution of higher education or associate degree or certificate at a public community or technical college pay tuition fees equal to a sum not less than the average instructional support in general funds and operating fees per full-time equivalent (FTE) at each respective institution. An estimate from the WSU registrar suggests that about 225 students per year could be impacted by this legislation. The Registrar also estimates that it would require up to a full FTE of staff time to monitor. Of greatest concern but now deleted from the bill are provisions to waive tuition to students denied entry to "bottleneck" courses that impede their timely graduation. (See also, House Bill 1997)
SB 5137 Higher ed admissions S Higher Educ 1/15/2003 Carlson Concerns
  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-  Authorizes the use of the reading and math components of the WASL to fulfill admission requirements at institutions of higher education.
SSB 5138 WASL S Ways & Means 2/27/2003 EDU (Carlson)  
  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-  Authorizes the use of the Washington assessment of student learning for qualifying for the promise scholarship and other purposes.
SB 5151 Open public meetings S Govt Op & El 1/15/2003 Benton Concerns
  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-  Requirements for meeting notice and location are made more stringent, but emergency exceptions to notice requirements are broadened. An agency must post a meeting agenda in advance of every meeting. For regular meetings, the body must post the agenda 72 hours in advance. For special meetings, the body must post the agenda 24 hours in advance.
SSB 5158 Higher ed student residency S Rules 2 G 2/12/2003 HIE (Carlson) Support
Resident tuition for migrant children  -Survived March 5 Deadline-  WSU strongly supports efforts to enable children of migrant farm workers living in Washington State to attend university for resident tuition rates. This bill accomplishes that. WSU has suggested minor amendments designed to ensure that this bill targets those students. See also, House Bill 1079.
SSB 5185 Open public meetings H State Govt 3/14/2003 GO (Benton) Concerns
Open Meetings Bill   -Passed the State Senate-   The bill passed the Senate March 12 on a 25-24 vote. The original bill set out specific requirements for posting meetings and setting agendas. The bill was improved in committee. Public agency governing bodies must adopt rules fixing the agenda requirements for meetings, including deadlines for posting agendas, and time allotted per agenda item. They must also adopt rules fixing the location for meetings, including meetings involving more than one jurisdiction.
SSB 5189 Korean conflict veterans S Pres signed 4/17/2003 HIE (Benton)  
  -Passed the state Senate-  Exempts veterans of the Korean conflict from tuition increases.
SSB 5242 Library computer filters H Technology, 3/21/2003 GO (Swecker) Concerns
Library Computer Filters  -Passed the state Senate-   Public libraries must use Internet filtering software on computers in the children's section of the library. The substitute requires filtering on all computers in a library, as opposed to only those in the children's section. Unlike the original bill, the substitute bill does not allow adults to choose unfiltered access. The substitute bill restricts the target of the filtering to adult-oriented, sexually explicit Internet sites, as opposed to potentially offensive sites that are not sexually explicit.
SB 5311 Government accountability S Govt Op & El 1/22/2003 Kastama  
  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-   Finds that: (1) Public confidence in government is essential and programs to continuously improve quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of public functions must be enhanced in order to restore public trust; (2) Washington state government and other entities that receive tax dollars must transform the way it operates and delivers services in order to respond to severe, ongoing budget shortfalls and declining revenues, and ensure citizens receive value for their tax dollars; (3) A strong, objective, and independent board is necessary to help develop, oversee, and monitor accountability systems for all government to ensure that public entities accomplish intended goals and outcomes, and that management systems, customer satisfaction, and efficiency are world class in performance; and (4) Fair, independent, professional performance audits of government systems by the state auditor are essential to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government entities.
SB 5312 f# Quality management program S Ways & Means 3/4/2003 Kastama Concerns
Quality Management Program   -Bill appears to have failed for this year-  WSU estimates that the bill requires central WSU office to coordinate quality management efforts and training across the university. The bill directs each state agency to, within available funds, 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 for successful implementation of efforts toward quality improvement. Requires state agencies whose chief executives are appointed by the governor to report program results to the governor on a regular basis. State agencies whose chief executives are elected officials other than the governor shall report program results to the elected official on a regular basis. Directs each state agency to integrate efforts made under this act with quality management programs undertaken under executive order or other authority. The office of insurance commissioner, the department of natural resources, and four-year institutions of higher education shall develop and implement a complete quality management program by June 30, 2006. All other state agencies shall develop and implement a complete quality management program by June 30, 2004. (See also, House Bill 1488.)
SSB 5401 $ Capital budget S Passed 3rd 4/17/2003 WM (Zarelli) Concerns
Governor's Capital Construction Budget Bill (Senate)   -Passed the state Senate-   This is the legislation that funds many major WSU capital construction projects including the proposed $35 million Johnson Hall Addition and the $12.7 million Cleveland Education Addition. Project not funded by the governor include the Spokane Academic Center Building and the Pullman Wastewater Reclamation Project. The 2003-05 Capital Budget authorizes $2.364 billion in new capital projects, of which $1.2 million are financed with state general obligation bonds. (The related bond bill authorizes $926 million under the 7% statutory debt limit and the rest are excluded from the statutory debt limit.) Reappropriations of $1.7 billion are authorized for uncompleted projects approved in prior biennia. Agencies also are authorized to enter into a variety of financing contracts, not debt-limit financing funded using operating revenue.provements. See also, House Bill 1165.
SSB 5403 a$ Operating supp budget C 10 L 03 4/9/2003 WM (Rossi) Support Conf Report
Supplemental operating and capital budget   -Bill signed into law by governor-  Passed the state Senate 29-20 on Jan. 29th. Four Democrats joined with majority Republicans to pass the bill. Democrats voting yea were: Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-35th District; Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-24th District; Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-10th District, and Sen. Reardan, D-38th District.The House version passed 94-1. This bill addresses changes in the current biennal budget. That is, it makes changes in the budget for the remaining months of the biennium that ends on June 30. Originally proposed by the governor, this bill has passed the Senate and House in different forms. Both the House and Senate versions transfer $1,539,000 in capital budget savings to the energy plant project as WSU requested. This funding was not provided in the governor's version of the supplemental budget. WSU needs this funding for the critical construction of the Pullman campus power plant. The House supplemental budget exempts higher education from mandated reductions in state hiring. This is a marked improvement over the Senate budget. The Senate version would implement a statewide hiring freeze for all agencies, including many non-faculty university positions, as soon as the bill became law. Both the House and the Senate proposals require reductions in expenditures for personal service contracts, equipment and travel. While the dollar impact is the same, the House language provides greater flexibility.
E SSB 5404 $ Operating budget 2003-05 H Approp 4/11/2003 WM (Rossi) Serious Concerns
Senate Biennial Operating Budget Bill (Senate)  -Passed the state Senate-   This legislation was originally introduced at the request of Gov. Gary Locke. It makes 2003-05 operating appropriations. This is the vehicle for both the Governor's proposed budget and the Senate-passed budget. The bill passed the state Senate 28-20 on April 4. The bill contains a new 8.3 percent cut for WSU. It cuts about 8.3 percent below current WSU appropriations. It cuts about $6.8 million deeper than the 6.3 percent reductions recommended in the original bill by Gov. Gary Locke. And the Senate cuts are targeted to more specific areas such as student waivers, equipment, building maintenance (which is shifted to the capital budget), and travel. There are no salary increases except for a small equipment and retention fund. The budget presumes that tuition will be raised 9 percent per year. Funding is earmarked for veterinary medicine ($979,000), which WSU supports. There is also funding earmarked for wine industry education and a Vancouver Engineering and Science Institute. See also, Companion House Bill 1366.
SB 5417 $ Performance audits S Govt Op & El 1/24/2003 Reardon Concerns
  -Bill appears to have failed for this year-  Declares an intent to provide greater accountability to the public through an independent performance audit of government agencies. Finds that performance audit findings may include the identification of potential cost savings and ways to improve service delivery. Directs the state auditor to contract for a performance audit of the executive branch of state government. Requires the performance audit to include an examination of the efficiency and effectiveness of major management policies, practices, and functions across all executive branch agencies. Requires the audit to include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Planning, budgeting, and program evaluation policies and practices; (2) Personnel systems operations and management; (3) State purchasing operations and management policies and practices; (4) Information processing and telecommunications systems policy, organization, and management; and (5) Organizational and staffing patterns, especially in terms of the ratio of managers and supervisors to nonmanagement personnel. Requires the state auditor to report the results of the audit to the legislature by September 1, 2004. Provides that the legislature shall establish a joint committee on government accountability. Appropriates the sum of five million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, from the general fund to the state auditor for the purposes of this act.
E SSB 5448 Higher edu tuition H Approp 4/4/2003 HIE (Carlson) Support
Governor's Tuition Legislation  -Passed the state Senate-  For six years, the governing boards of the four-year institutions of higher education (including WSU) and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges are authorized to reduce or increase full-time tuition rates for all students other than resident undergraduates - - including summer school students and students in other self-supporting degree programs. Increases may exceed the fiscal growth factor. Explicit language gives tuition setting authority to the Legislature for setting resident undergraduate student tuition fees for six years. Annual increases in services and activities fees do not exceed the rate of increase in overall tuition for the resident undergraduate student category. For the 2003-04 academic year, the services and activities fees are based on the resident undergraduate rates from 2002-03. For needy low and middle income resident law students, additional financial aid is provided from a portion of the revenue raised from the law school tuition rate increases beginning in academic year 2000-01 through 2008-09. Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The intent section is strengthened to emphasize the Legislature's reluctance to rely on tuition without a further commitment to the public good. The policy is limited to six years. Financial aid is made available for needy resident law students. (See also, Substitute House Bill 1437)
SB 5475 Hghr edu engineering courses H Rules R 4/4/2003 Horn Neutral
EWU Engineering Bill (Senate Version)   -See House Bill 1808-  The bill changes existing law so that Electrical engineering programs are no longer limited to the University of Washington and Washington State University. The legislation was requested by Eastern Washington University. See also, House Bill 1808.
E SB 5560 o Alcohol at universities Del to Gov 4/11/2003 Honeyford Neutral
Technical Correction  -Passed the state Senate and House-  The prohibition on alcohol sales at the University of Washington is repealed. If an institution of higher education chooses to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on campus, the Legislature encourages the institution to feature products produced in the state of Washington. Companion bill is HB 1647.
SSB 5750 Rec & conservation trust S Ways & Means 3/5/2003 PFW (Esser) Amendment
DNR Legacy Trust Bill Requested by the Commissioner of Public Lands, this bill establishes state trust lands for the sole purpose of generating a stable, long-term revenue source to support recreational access and use on state-owned lands, and maintenance of designated natural areas and conservation areas. Funding for the bill was initially proposed to come from the state capital construction budget. WSU favors an alternative proposal that would use a dedicated property tax to purchase university lands for the legacy trust. Proceeds from the purchase could be used to diversify the university's trust portfolio and improve the returns on the trust investment.
SSB 5796 Itemized tuition statements S Rules 2 3/10/2003 HIE (Mulliken) Concerns
Itemized Tuition Bill-Survived March 05 Deadline-Provides that, beginning with the 2003 fall academic term, each institution of higher education shall provide every enrolled student with an itemized tuition statement breaking out the specific amount dedicated to tuition, building fees, technology fees, health fees, services and activities fees, athletic fees, transportation fees, and any other fee charged to all students.
SSB 5828 Meningococcal immunization H Health Care 3/19/2003 HEA (Sheahan) Support
Senate Meningitis Bill  -Passed the state Senate-   WSU has expressed concerns that the provisions of this legislation goes beyond the requirements of the Centers for Disease Control and other leaders in the medical community. The Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee chaired by Sen. Alex Deccio, R-Yakima, made the changes to the bill that WSU requested.
SB 5902 State income tax S Ways & Means 2/19/2003 Kohl-Welles  
Provides additional funding for the support of the common schools and state institutions of higher education. Repeals RCW 6.15.025.
SSB 5908 Higher edu facilities S Passed 3rd 4/17/2003 WM (Zarelli) Support
Evans-Gardner Capital Construction Bill (Senate Version)   -Passed the state Senate-  Proposed initially by former Washington governors Dan Evans and Booth Gardner, the legislation is intended to expand capital construction funding for the state’s community colleges and the four-year baccalaureate institutions over the next 10 years. Legislators are considering amendments that would also expand construction projects for K-12 schools. By increasing bonding capacity for higher education construction, this bill would likely result in additional funding this biennium for campus infrastructure projects. WSU could receive up to $8 million from the Evans-Gardner proposal, compared to $3 million recommended by Gov. Gary Locke. More importantly, the proposal is also expected to provide longterm funding for a WSU Biotechnology Life Sciences Building, a new Nursing building at Spokane’s Riverpoint Campus, a Prosser Agriculture Biosciences Building, a WSU Vancouver Business Education Building, and a WSU building co-located on the campus of Columbia Basin College.
E SSB 5909 Government accountability H State Govt 3/20/2003 WM (Reardon) Concerns
Performance Audit Legislation  -Passed the state Senate-  A performance audit is an objective and systematic assessment of a governmental agency, program, function, or activity to improve its efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. Performance audits are the primary function of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC), a 16-member legislative committee that employs a professional staff headed by the Legislative Auditor.
SSCR8401 a Master plan for education H Adopted 3rd 4/17/2003 HIE (Kohl-Welles) Support
  -Passed the state Senate and House-  A joint select committee is created to develop a "Master Plan for Education -- Prekindergarten through University."
SGA9034 PETER J. GOLDMARK S Confirmed 3/7/2003 Support
  -SENATE CONFIRMED, No further action required-  PETER J. GOLDMARK, reappointed October 29, 2001, for a term ending September 30, 2007, as member of the Board of Regents, Washington State University. He was confirmed on a 48-0 vote by the Washington State Senate on March 7, 2003.
SGA9047 JASON JOHNSON S Confirmed 3/11/2003 SUPPORT
  -SENATE CONFIRMED, No further action required-  JASON JOHNSON, appointed June 10, 2002, for a term ending May 31, 2003, as a Member of the Board of Regents, Washington State University. Confirmed by the state Senate 46-0 on March 11.
SGA9148 KENNETH ALHADEFF S Confirmed 3/13/2003 Support
  -SENATE CONFIRMED, No further action required-   KENNETH ALHADEFF, reappointed October 17, 2002, for a term ending September 30, 2008, as a Member of the Board of Regents, Washington State University.
SGA9168 CHRIS MARR S Confirm cal 4/9/2003 Support
  -Awaiting assignment to the Senate floor-  A hearing has been scheduled in the Senate Higher Education Committee.
 
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