A bill to help community and technical colleges expand was signed into law this week.
The law allows community colleges and technical schools to exchange land within the community and technical college forest reserve for land of equal value with the state Department of Natural Resources.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Joe Fain, R-Auburn.
Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, played a role in passing this law, according to a press release from the House of Representatives Republican communications office.
“We have to give our Community and Technical Colleges the tools they need to thrive and grow,” Walsh said in a press release. “This law is one of those tools. It puts a practical point on an important land-swap agreement that’s been in the works for years, but was having problems getting done. It gives the colleges the room, literally, to expand and grow.”
Highline, Green River, South Seattle and Grays Harbor community colleges utilize land leased from DNR. According to the press release, Grays Harbor Community College will be one of the first to benefit from this law.
“These four community colleges are economic drivers within their local communities and add great value to Washington’s economy overall. Thanks to the good work by Rep. Walsh and others, they’ll have much more flexibility to add space on campus for high-demand programs and services in the future,” said Jan Yoshiwara, executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in a press release.
