Committee adopts substitute for SB 6325 and reports multiple gubernatorial appointees for confirmation

The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee met in executive session to consider Senate Bill 6325 and a slate of gubernatorial appointments.

Kelly Gunn, staff, briefed the committee on SB 6325, a bill the committee had heard previously, summarizing that it changes funding-split rules so certain funding increases at public institutions would be paid with appropriated state funds rather than tuition at specified levels beginning in the 2931 biennium, with phased 10% increases each biennium until fully funded. The bill also directs a study by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy on essential student services standards; a staff-proposed substitute adjusted the study due date and removed a requirement that the institute provide recommendations to the Legislature.

In executive session an unidentified senator (speaker 19) moved adoption of the proposed substitute; the substitute was adopted after a voice vote. The same senator moved that the proposed substitute receive a "due pass" recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee; the motion carried after a voice vote in which at least one legislator recorded a "nay" during the roll of favor.

The committee then moved that multiple gubernatorial appointment numbers (as read into the record) be reported with a recommendation that the appointments be confirmed; the motion carried and the committee reported the appointments for confirmation, subject to signatures.

The committee adjourned after closing executive session.