Washington Business Fall 2016 | Legislative Review | Page 19

issue area reports | education and workforce

Rep. Chad Magendanz, R-Issaquah, and Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, were part of a bipartisan,
bicameral education funding work group aimed at meeting the state’s McCleary obligation.

E2SHB 1949

higher education
institution regulations
Failed/AWB Opposed
Sponsored by Rep. Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle,
Engrossed Second Substitute House
Bill 1949, was of great concern to AWB,
both as an anti-business measure and
as a redundant state expenditure. The
Washington Student Achievement Council
and the Washington State Workforce
Training and Education Coordinating
Board (which includes representation
from AWB), administers a program that
licenses and regulates private postsecondary schools. The effectiveness of
the workforce board program was evident
during the crisis with Corinthian (Everest)

Bill considered as part of
AWB’s voting record

Sen. Steve Litzow,
R-Mercer Island, is chair of
the Senate Early Learning and
K-12 Education Committee.

Colleges, which created uncertainty for
students and faculty when the institutions
shut their doors. AWB was very proud of
how the state workforce board and its staff
addressed the issue, including providing
restitution and solutions for students in
the affected institutions. Washington state
has some of the strictest standards in the
nation for private education licensure.
AWB is committed to making sure that
Washington residents receive a quality
education. The bill passed the House
52-45. It was moved out of the Senate
Higher Education Committee through
executive action and was returned to the
House Rules Committee upon the start
of the special session March 11. The bill
died at the end of the first special session
but funding was provided in the final

Favorable outcome for
Washington businesses

Missed Opportunities

special edition 2016

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