Washington Business Fall 2016 | Legislative Review

2016 legislative review supplemental budget for the portion of the bill that allowed for a study of the current Washington state regulations that oversee for-profit higher education institutions. E2SSB 6455 educator workforce Passed/AWB Supported Washington state has followed national trends in its experience with educator workforce shortages. In an attempt to address the issue while simultaneously studying how to fully fund the state’s education system, Sen. Bruce Dammeier, R-Puyallup, sponsored Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6455 that expands the professional educator workforce by increasing career opportunities in education, creating a more robust enrollment forecasting system, and enhancing recruitment efforts. The bill, which easily passed both chambers — 49-0 in the Senate and 96-2 in the House — establishes a recruitment campaign; a method for out-of-state teachers to be certified; provides opportunities for retired teachers to return as substitute teachers without impacting their retirement benefits; expands alternative routes to teacher certification; establishes a teacher mentor program; and establishes scholarship, grant, and tuition waiver programs for teacher training. E2SSB 6455 was a good solution to the educator shortage while the state works to fully fund basic education. HB 2989/SB 6661, HB 2868/SB 6415 career and technical education funding Failed/AWB Supported Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offer students opportunities for career exploration while providing them with the skills for post-secondary success 18 association of washington business Amy Anderson of AWB and Joe Gregorich of the Apollo Education Group, parent company of the University of Phoenix, testify against E2SHB 1949 before the Senate Higher Education Committee. in education, training and employment. CTE programs are also the basis for EHB 2698, HB 2361, SB 6353 levy reform successful on-the-job training programs Failed/AWB Supported in high demand fields for Washington House Bills 2698 and 2361, introduced by Rep. Kristine Lytton, D-Anacortes, and Senate Bill 6353, introduced by Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, intended to delay the implementation of revisions to the school levy lid and local effort assistance. The delay was necessary to allow the state to adequately develop a full levy reform model. To ensure that levy reform is done in an effective manner and that there is minimal disruption to the state’s K-12 system, a delay in changes to the school district formula for calculating school district’s maximum maintenance and operation levy authority, and corresponding local effort assistance provisions is necessary. Engrossed House Bill 2698 provided a oneyear delay. The bill passed the House 91-7. The Senate Ways & Means Committee returned the bill to the House Rules Committee for a third reading where it died. state employers. Sponsored by Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, and Rep. Chris Reykdal, D-Tumwater, House Bills 2989 and 2868 and Senate Bills 6661 and 6415, address the Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOCs) for CTE courses. CTE courses are critical to training the next generation of workers that our businesses require. Industries such as manufacturing, allied health, energy, and agriculture pull workers from CTE programs. These industries are also experiencing critical current and projected workforce shortages. Investing in CTE provides a workforce pipeline for our businesses and long-term, fulfilling jobs for our citizens.

Washington Business Fall 2016 | Legislative Review | Page 20