WEST virginia legislature

2020 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 835

By Senators Plymale, and Woelfel

[Introduced February 17, 2020; referred
to the Committee on Government Organization]

A BILL to amend and reenact §5A-6-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §5A-6-9; to amend and reenact §18B-2B-6 of said code; to amend and reenact §18B-4-2 of said code; and to amend and reenact §18B-6-1a of said code, all relating to transferring the West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing and all its property and personnel to the Office of Technology.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

CHAPTER 5A. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION.

ARTICLE 6. Office of Technology.

§5A-6-4. Powers and duties of the Chief Technology Officer generally.

(a) With respect to all state spending units the Chief Technology Officer may:

(1) Develop an organized approach to information resource management for this state;

(2) Provide technical assistance to the administrators of the various state spending units in the design and management of information systems;

(3) Evaluate the economic justification, system design, and suitability of information equipment and related services, and review and make recommendations on the purchase, lease, or acquisition of information equipment and contracts for related services by the state spending units;

(4) Develop a mechanism for identifying those instances where systems of paper forms should be replaced by direct use of information equipment and those instances where applicable state or federal standards of accountability demand retention of some paper processes;

(5) Develop a mechanism for identifying those instances where information systems should be linked and information shared, while providing for appropriate limitations on access and the security of information;

(6) Create new technologies to be used in government, convene conferences, and develop incentive packages to encourage the utilization of technology;

(7) Engage in any other activities as directed by the Governor;

(8) Charge a fee to the state spending units for evaluations performed and technical assistance provided under the provisions of this section. All fees collected by the Chief Technology Officer shall be deposited in a special account in the State Treasury to be known as the Chief Technology Officer Administration Fund. Expenditures from the fund shall be made by the Chief Technology Officer for the purposes set forth in this article and are not authorized from collections but are to be made only in accordance with appropriation by the Legislature and in accordance with the provisions of §12-3-1 et seq. of this code and upon the fulfillment of the provisions set forth in §11B-2-1 et seq. of this code: Provided, That the provisions of §11B-2-18 of this code do not operate to permit expenditures in excess of the spending authority authorized by the Legislature. Amounts collected which are found to exceed the funds needed for purposes set forth in this article may be transferred to other accounts or funds and re-designated for other purposes by appropriation of the Legislature;

(9) Monitor trends and advances in information technology and technical infrastructure;

(10) Direct the formulation and promulgation of policies, guidelines, standards, and specifications for the development and maintenance of information technology and technical infrastructure, including, but not limited to:

(A) Standards to support state and local government exchange, acquisition, storage, use, sharing, and distribution of electronic information;

(B) Standards concerning the development of electronic transactions, including the use of electronic signatures;

(C) Standards necessary to support a unified approach to information technology across the totality of state government, thereby assuring that the citizens and businesses of the state receive the greatest possible security, value and convenience from investments made in technology;

(D) Guidelines directing the establishment of statewide standards for the efficient exchange of electronic information and technology, including technical infrastructure, between the public and private sectors;

(E) Technical and data standards for information technology and related systems to promote efficiency and uniformity;

(F) Technical and data standards for the connectivity, priorities, and interoperability of technical infrastructure used for homeland security, public safety and health, and systems reliability necessary to provide continuity of government operations in times of disaster or emergency for all state, county, and local governmental units; and

(G) Technical and data standards for the coordinated development of infrastructure related to deployment of electronic government services among state, county, and local governmental units;

(11) Periodically evaluate the feasibility of subcontracting information technology resources and services, and to subcontract only those resources that are feasible and beneficial to the state;

(12) Direct the compilation and maintenance of an inventory of information technology and technical infrastructure of the state, including infrastructure and technology of all state, county, and local governmental units, which may include personnel, facilities, equipment, goods and contracts for service, wireless tower facilities, geographic information systems, and any technical infrastructure or technology that is used for law enforcement, homeland security, or emergency services;

(13) Develop job descriptions and qualifications necessary to perform duties related to information technology as outlined in this article; and

(14) Promulgate legislative rules, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 29A of this code, as may be necessary to standardize and make effective the administration of the provisions of §5A-6-1 et seq. of this code.

(b) With respect to executive agencies, the Chief Technology Officer may:

(1) Develop a unified and integrated structure for information systems for all executive agencies;

(2) Establish, based on need and opportunity, priorities and time lines timelines for addressing the information technology requirements of the various executive agencies of state government;

(3) Exercise authority delegated by the Governor by executive order to overrule and supersede decisions made by the administrators of the various executive agencies of government with respect to the design and management of information systems and the purchase, lease, or acquisition of information equipment and contracts for related services;

(4) Draw upon staff of other executive agencies for advice and assistance in the formulation and implementation of administrative and operational plans and policies;

(5) Recommend to the Governor transfers of equipment and human resources from any executive agency and the most effective and efficient uses of the fiscal resources of executive agencies, to consolidate or centralize information-processing operations; and

(6) Ensure information technology equipment is properly cleansed before disposal or transfer to another agency or organization, and is responsible for the retirement or transfer of information technology equipment that may contain confidential or privileged electronic data. Information technology equipment shall be cleansed using appropriate and effective methods that are commensurate with the data, the decommissioning agency and the planned disposition of the information technology equipment. Following the cleansing, the Chief Technology Officer may distribute the information technology equipment for reuse by another state spending unit, send the information technology equipment to a state authorized recycler or send the information technology equipment to a certified information technology equipment refurbisher. Transfers and disposal of information technology equipment are specifically exempt from the surplus property requirements enumerated in §5A-3-43 through §5A-3-46 of this code.

(c) The Chief Technology Officer may employ the personnel necessary to carry out the work of the Office of Technology and may approve reimbursement of costs incurred by employees to obtain education and training.

(d) The Chief Technology Officer shall develop a comprehensive, statewide, four-year strategic information technology and technical infrastructure policy and development plan to be submitted to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. A preliminary plan shall be submitted by December 1, 2006, and the final plan shall be submitted by June 1, 2007. The plan shall include, but not be limited to:

(A) A discussion of specific projects to implement the plan;

(B) A discussion of the acquisition, management, and use of information technology by state agencies;

(C) A discussion of connectivity, priorities, and interoperability of the state’s technical infrastructure with the technical infrastructure of political subdivisions and encouraging the coordinated development of facilities and services regarding homeland security, law enforcement, and emergency services to provide for the continuity of government operations in times of disaster or emergency;

(D) A discussion identifying potential market demand areas in which expanded resources and technical infrastructure may be expected;

(E) A discussion of technical infrastructure as it relates to higher education and health;

(F) A discussion of the use of public-private partnerships in the development of technical infrastructure and technology services; and

(G) A discussion of coordinated initiatives in website architecture and technical infrastructure to modernize and improve government to citizen services, government to business services, government-to-government relations, and internal efficiency and effectiveness of services, including a discussion of common technical data standards and common portals to be utilized by state, county, and local governmental units.

(e) The Chief Technology Officer shall oversee telecommunications services used by state spending units for the purpose of maximizing efficiency to the fullest possible extent. The Chief Technology Officer shall establish microwave or other networks and LATA hops; audit telecommunications services and usage; recommend and develop strategies for the discontinuance of obsolete or excessive utilization; participate in the renegotiation of telecommunications contracts; and encourage the use of technology and take other actions necessary to provide the greatest value to the state.

(f) Effective July 1, 2020, the Chief Technology Officer shall administer the West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing in accordance with section nine of this article.

§5A-6-9. Transfer of West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing.

(a) Legislative Findings:

(1) The technological needs of the state are constantly evolving, and services must be provided to satisfy those needs in an efficient manner with the highest standards;

(2) All individuals and entities within the state, including schools, healthcare facilities, businesses, and the citizens of the state deserve access to exceptional telecommunication services;

(3) The Office of Technology works closely with the Broadband Enhancement Council and other interested groups to improve broadband access throughout the state; and

(4) The West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing has provided Internet related services to higher education institutions for years, but those services should now be deployed in a manner that benefits all of the state.

(b) Effective July 1, 2020, the West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing and all its property and personnel is transferred to the Office of Technology. It shall be administered by the Chief Technology Officer. Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, personnel and property of the West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing may be moved from Monongalia County without legislative approval.

CHAPTER 18B. HIGHER EDUCATION.

ARTICLE 2B. WEST VIRGINIA COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE EDUCATION.

§18B-2B-6. Powers and duties of the council.

(a) The council is the sole agency responsible for administration of vocational-technical-occupational education and community and technical college education in the state. The council has jurisdiction and authority over the community and technical colleges and the statewide network of independently accredited community and technical colleges as a whole, including community and technical college education programs as defined in §18B-1-2 of this code.

(b) The council shall propose rules pursuant to §18B-1-6 and §29A-3A-1 et seq. of this code to implement the provisions of this section and applicable provisions of §18B-1D-1 et seq. of this code:

(1) To implement the provisions of §18B-1D-1 et seq. of this code relevant to community and technical colleges, the council may propose rules jointly with the commission, or separately, and may choose to address all components of the accountability system in a single rule or may propose additional rules to cover specific components;

(2) The rules pertaining to financing policy and benchmarks and indicators required by this section shall be filed with the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability by October 1, 2008. Nothing in this subsection requires other rules of the council to be promulgated again under the procedure set forth in §29A-3A-1 et seq. of this code unless such rules are rescinded, revised, altered, or amended; and

(3) The Legislature finds that an emergency exists and, therefore, the council shall propose an emergency rule or rules to implement the provisions of this section relating to the financing policy and benchmarks and indicators in accordance with §18B-1-6 and §29A-3A-1 et seq. of this code by October 1, 2008. The emergency rule or rules may not be implemented without prior approval of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability.

(c) The council has the following powers and duties relating to the authority established in subsection (a) of this section:

(1) Develop, oversee, and advance the public policy agenda for community and technical college education for the purpose of accomplishing the mandates of this section, including, but not limited to, the following:

(A) Achieving the goals and objectives established in articles §18B-1-1 et seq. and §18B-1D-1 et seq. of this code;

(B) Addressing the goals and objectives contained in the institutional compacts created pursuant to §18B-1D-7 of this code; and

(C) Developing and implementing the master plan described in §18B-1D-5 of this code;

(2) Propose a legislative rule pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and §29A-3A-1 et seq. of this code to develop and implement a financing policy for community and technical college education in West Virginia. The rule shall meet the following criteria:

(A) Provide an adequate level of education and general funding for institutions pursuant to §18B-1A-5 of this code;

(B) Serve to maintain institutional assets, including, but not limited to, human and physical resources and deferred maintenance;

(C) Establish a plan for strategic funding to strengthen capacity for support of community and technical college education; and

(D) Establish a plan that measures progress and provides performance-based funding to institutions which make significant progress in the following specific areas:

(i) Achieving the objectives and priorities established in article §18B-1D-1 et seq. of this code;

(ii) Serving targeted populations, especially working age adults 25 years of age and over;

(iii) Providing access to high-cost, high-demand technical programs in every region of the state;

(iv) Increasing the percentage of functionally literate adults in every region of the state; and

(v) Providing high-quality community and technical college education services to residents of every region of the state.

(3) Create a policy leadership structure relating to community and technical college education capable of the following actions:

(A) Developing, building public consensus around, and sustaining attention to a long-range public policy agenda. In developing the agenda, the council shall seek input from the Legislature and the Governor and specifically from the State Board of Education and local school districts in order to create the necessary linkages to assure smooth, effective, and seamless movement of students through the public education and post-secondary education systems and to ensure that the needs of public school courses and programs can be fulfilled by the graduates produced and the programs offered;

(B) Ensuring that the governing boards of the institutions under the council’s jurisdiction carry out their duty effectively to govern the individual institutions of higher education; and

(C) Holding each community and technical college and the statewide network of independently accredited community and technical colleges as a whole accountable for accomplishing their missions and achieving the goals and objectives established in §18B-1-1 et seq., §18B-1D-1 et seq., and §18B-3C-1 et seq. of this code;

(4) Develop for inclusion in the statewide public agenda, a plan for raising education attainment, increasing adult literacy, promoting workforce and economic development, and ensuring access to advanced education for the citizens of West Virginia;

(5) Provide statewide leadership, coordination, support, and technical assistance to the community and technical colleges and to provide a focal point for visible and effective advocacy for their work and for the public policy agendas approved by the commission and council;

(6) Review and adopt annually all institutional compacts for the community and technical colleges pursuant to the provisions of §18B-1D-7 of this code;

(7) Fulfill the mandates of the accountability system established in §18B-1D-1 et seq. of this code and report on progress in meeting established goals, objectives, and priorities to the elected leadership of the state;

(8) Propose a legislative rule pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and §29A-3A-1 et seq. of this code to establish benchmarks and indicators in accordance with the provisions of this subsection;

(9) Establish and implement the benchmarks and performance indicators necessary to measure institutional progress:

(A) In meeting state goals, objectives, and priorities established in §18B-1-1 et seq. and 18B-1D-1 et seq. of this code;

(B) In carrying out institutional missions; and

(C) In meeting the essential conditions established in §18B-3C-1 et seq. of this code;

(10) Establish a formal process for identifying needs for capital investments and for determining priorities for these investments for consideration by the Governor and the Legislature as part of the appropriation request process. Notwithstanding the language in §18B-1B-4(a)(11) of this code, the commission is not a part of the process for identifying needs for capital investments for the statewide network of independently accredited community and technical colleges;

(11) Draw upon the expertise available within the Governor’s Workforce Investment Office and the West Virginia Development Office as a resource in the area of workforce development and training;

(12) Acquire legal services that are considered necessary, including representation of the council, its institutions, employees, and officers before any court or administrative body, notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary. The counsel may be employed either on a salaried basis or on a reasonable fee basis. In addition, the council may, but is not required to, call upon the Attorney General for legal assistance and representation as provided by law;

(13) Employ a chancellor for community and technical college education pursuant to section three of this article;

(14) Employ other staff as necessary and appropriate to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the council consistent with the provisions of §18B-4-2 of this code;

(15) Employ other staff as necessary and appropriate to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the council who are employed solely by the council;

(16) Provide suitable offices in Charleston for the chancellor and other staff: Provided, That the offices may be located outside of Charleston at a technology and research center; Provided, however, That the current employees of WVNET shall not be moved from Monongalia County without legislative approval

(17) Approve the total compensation package from all sources for presidents of community and technical colleges, as proposed by the governing boards. The governing boards must obtain approval from the council of the total compensation package both when presidents are employed initially and subsequently when any change is made in the amount of the total compensation package;

(18) Establish and implement policies and procedures to ensure that students may transfer and apply toward the requirements for a degree the maximum number of credits earned at any regionally accredited in-state or out-of-state higher education institution with as few requirements to repeat courses or to incur additional costs as is consistent with sound academic policy;

(19) Establish and implement policies and programs, jointly with the community and technical colleges, through which students who have gained knowledge and skills through employment, participation in education and training at vocational schools, or other education institutions, or internet-based education programs, may demonstrate by competency-based assessment that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to be granted academic credit or advanced placement standing toward the requirements of an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree at a state institution of higher education;

(20) Seek out and attend regional and national meetings and forums on education and workforce development-related topics, as council members consider critical for the performance of their duties. The council shall keep abreast of national and regional community and technical college education trends and policies to aid members in developing the policies for this state that meet the education goals and objectives established in §18B-1-1 et seq. and §18B-1D-1 et seq. of  this code;

(21) Assess community and technical colleges for the payment of expenses of the council or for the funding of statewide services, obligations, or initiatives related specifically to the provision of community and technical college education;

(22) Promulgate rules allocating reimbursement of appropriations, if made available by the Legislature, to community and technical colleges for qualifying noncapital expenditures incurred in the provision of services to students with physical, learning, or severe sensory disabilities;

(23) Assume the prior authority of the commission in examining and approving tuition and fee increase proposals submitted by community and technical college governing boards as provided in §18B-1-10 of this code;

(24) Develop and submit to the commission, a single budget for community and technical college education that reflects recommended appropriations for community and technical colleges and that meets the following conditions:

(A) Incorporates the provisions of the financing rule mandated by this section to measure and provide performance funding to institutions which achieve or make significant progress toward achieving established state objectives and priorities;

(B) Considers the progress of each institution toward meeting the essential conditions set forth in §18B-3C-3 of this code, including independent accreditation; and

(C) Considers the progress of each institution toward meeting the goals, objectives, and priorities established in §18B-1D-1 et seq. of this code and its approved institutional compact.

(25) Administer and distribute the independently accredited community and technical college development account;

(26) Establish a plan of strategic funding to strengthen capacity for support and assure delivery of high-quality community and technical college education in all regions of the state;

(27) Foster coordination among all state-level, regional, and local entities providing post-secondary vocational education or workforce development and coordinate all public institutions and entities that have a community and technical college mission;

(28) Assume the principal responsibility for oversight of those community and technical colleges seeking independent accreditation and for holding governing boards accountable for meeting the essential conditions pursuant to §18B-3C-1 et seq. of this code;

(29) Advise and consent in the appointment of the presidents of the community and technical colleges pursuant to §18B-1B-6 of this code. The role of the council in approving a president is to assure through personal interview that the person selected understands and is committed to achieving the goals and objectives established in the institutional compact and in §18B-1-1 et seq., §18B-1D-1 et seq., and §18B-3C-1 et seq. of this code;

(30) Provide a single, statewide link for current and prospective employers whose needs extend beyond one locality;

(31) Provide a mechanism capable of serving two or more institutions to facilitate joint problem-solving in areas including, but not limited to, the following:

(A) Defining faculty roles and personnel policies;

(B) Delivering high-cost technical education programs across the state;

(C) Providing one-stop service for workforce training to be delivered by multiple institutions; and

(D) Providing opportunities for resource-sharing and collaborative ventures;

(32) Provide support and technical assistance to develop, coordinate, and deliver effective and efficient community and technical college education programs and services in all regions of the state;

(33) Assist the community and technical colleges in establishing and promoting links with business, industry, and labor in the geographic areas for which each community and technical college is responsible;

(34) Develop alliances among the community and technical colleges for resource sharing, joint development of courses and courseware, and sharing of expertise and staff development;

(35) Serve aggressively as an advocate for development of a seamless curriculum;

(36) Cooperate with all providers of education services in the state to remove barriers relating to a seamless system of public and higher education and to transfer and articulate between and among community and technical colleges, state colleges and universities, and public education, preschool through grade 12;

(37) Encourage the most efficient use of available resources;

(38) Coordinate with the commission in informing public school students, their parents, and teachers of the academic preparation that students need in order to be prepared adequately to succeed in their selected fields of study and career plans, including presentation of academic career fairs;

(39) Jointly with the commission, approve and implement a uniform standard, as developed by the chancellors, to determine which students shall be placed in remedial or developmental courses. The standard shall be aligned with college admission tests and assessment tools used in West Virginia and shall be applied uniformly by the governing boards throughout the public higher education system. The chancellors shall develop a clear, concise explanation of the standard which the governing boards shall communicate to the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Schools;

(40) Develop and implement strategies and curriculum for providing developmental education which shall be applied by any state institution of higher education providing developmental education;

(41) Develop a statewide system of community and technical college programs and services in every region of West Virginia for competency-based certification of knowledge and skills, including a statewide competency-based associate degree program;

(42) Review and approve all institutional master plans for the community and technical colleges pursuant to §18B-2A-4 of this code;

(43) Propose rules for promulgation pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and §29A-3A-1 et seq., of this code that are necessary or expedient for the effective and efficient performance of community and technical colleges in the state;

(44) In its sole discretion, transfer any rule under its jurisdiction, other than a legislative rule, to the jurisdiction of the governing boards who may rescind, revise, alter, or amend any rule transferred pursuant to rules adopted by the council and provide technical assistance to the institutions under its jurisdiction to aid them in promulgating rules;

(45) Develop for inclusion in the higher education report card, as defined in §18B-1B-8 of this code, a separate section on community and technical colleges. This section shall include, but is not limited to, evaluation of the institutions based upon the benchmarks and indicators developed in subdivision (9) of this subsection;

(46) Facilitate continuation of the Advantage Valley Community College Network under the leadership and direction of Marshall Community and Technical College;

(47) Initiate and facilitate creation of other regional networks of affiliated community and technical colleges that the council finds to be appropriate and in the best interests of the citizens to be served;

(48) Develop with the State Board of Education plans for secondary and post-secondary vocational-technical-occupational and adult basic education, including, but not limited to, the following:

(A) Policies to strengthen vocational-technical-occupational and adult basic education; and

(B) Programs and methods to assist in the improvement, modernization and expanded delivery of vocational-technical-occupational and adult basic education programs;

(49) Distribute federal vocational education funding provided under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998, PL 105-332, with an emphasis on distributing financial assistance among secondary and post-secondary vocational-technical-occupational and adult basic education programs to help meet the public policy agenda.

In distributing funds, the council shall use the following guidelines:

(A) The State Board of Education shall continue to be the fiscal agent for federal vocational education funding;

(B) The percentage split between the State Board of Education and the council shall be determined by rule promulgated by the council under the provisions of§29A-3A-1 et seq. of this code. The council shall first obtain the approval of the State Board of Education before proposing a rule;

(50) Collaborate, cooperate and interact with all secondary and post-secondary vocational-technical-occupational and adult basic education programs in the state, including the programs assisted under the federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998, PL 105-332, and the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, to promote the development of seamless curriculum and the elimination of duplicative programs;

(51) Coordinate the delivery of vocational-technical-occupational and adult basic education in a manner designed to make the most effective use of available public funds to increase accessibility for students;

(52) Analyze and report to the State Board of Education on the distribution of spending for vocational-technical-occupational and adult basic education in the state and on the availability of vocational-technical-occupational and adult basic education activities and services within the state;

(53) Promote the delivery of vocational-technical-occupational education, adult basic education and community and technical college education programs in the state which emphasize the involvement of business, industry and labor organizations;

(54) Promote public participation in the provision of vocational-technical-occupational education, adult basic education and community and technical education at the local level, emphasizing programs which involve the participation of local employers and labor organizations;

(55) Promote equal access to quality vocational-technical-occupational education, adult basic education, and community and technical college education programs to handicapped and disadvantaged individuals, adults in need of training and retraining, single parents, homemakers, participants in programs designed to eliminate sexual bias and stereotyping, and criminal offenders serving in correctional institutions;

(56) Meet annually between the months of October and December with the Advisory Committee of Community and Technical College Presidents created pursuant to section eight of this article to discuss those matters relating to community and technical college education in which advisory committee members or the council may have an interest;

(57) Accept and expend any gift, grant, contribution, bequest, endowment, or other money for the purposes of this article;

(58) Assume the powers set out in section nine of this article. The rules previously promulgated by the state College System Board of Directors pursuant to that section and transferred to the commission are hereby transferred to the council and shall continue in effect until rescinded, revised, altered, or amended by the council;

(59) Pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section and §29A-3A-1 et seq. of this code, promulgate a uniform joint legislative rule with the commission for the purpose of standardizing, as much as possible, the administration of personnel matters among the institutions of higher education;

(60) Determine when a joint rule among the governing boards of the community and technical colleges is necessary or required by law and, in those instances and in consultation with the governing boards, promulgate the joint rule;

(61) Promulgate a joint rule with the commission establishing tuition and fee policy for all institutions of higher education. The rule shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

(A) Comparisons with peer institutions;

(B) Differences among institutional missions;

(C) Strategies for promoting student access;

(D) Consideration of charges to out-of-state students; and

(E) Any other policies the commission and council consider appropriate;

(62) In cooperation with the West Virginia Division of Highways, study a method for increasing the signage signifying community and technical college locations along the state interstate highways, and report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability regarding any recommendations and required costs; and

(63) Implement a policy jointly with the commission whereby any course credit earned at a community and technical college transfers for program credit at any other state institution of higher education and is not limited to fulfilling a general education requirement.

(d) In addition to the powers and duties listed in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section, the council has the following general powers and duties related to its role in developing, articulating, and overseeing the implementation of the public policy agenda for community and technical colleges:

(1) Planning and policy leadership including a distinct and visible role in setting the state’s policy agenda for the delivery of community and technical college education and in serving as an agent of change;

(2) Policy analysis and research focused on issues affecting the community and technical college network as a whole or a geographical region thereof;

(3) Development and implementation of each community and technical college mission definition including use of incentive and performance funds to influence institutional behavior in ways that are consistent with achieving established state goals, objectives, and priorities;

(4) Academic program review and approval for the institutions under its jurisdiction, including the use of institutional missions as a template to judge the appropriateness of both new and existing programs and the authority to implement needed changes;

(5) Development of budget and allocation of resources for institutions delivering community and technical college education, including reviewing and approving institutional operating and capital budgets and distributing incentive and performance-based funding;

(6) Acting as the agent to receive and disburse public funds related to community and technical college education when a governmental entity requires designation of a statewide higher education agency for this purpose;

(7) Development, establishment, and implementation of information, assessment, and internal accountability systems, including maintenance of statewide data systems that facilitate long-term planning and accurate measurement of strategic outcomes and performance indicators for community and technical colleges;

(8) Jointly with the commission, development, establishment, and implementation of policies for licensing and oversight of both public and private degree-granting and nondegree-granting institutions that provide post-secondary education courses or programs;

(9) Development, implementation, and oversight of statewide and regionwide projects and initiatives related specifically to providing community and technical college education such as those using funds from federal categorical programs or those using incentive and performance-based funding from any source; and

(10) Quality assurance that intersects with all other duties of the council particularly in the areas of planning, policy analysis, program review and approval, budgeting, and information, and accountability systems.

(e) The council may withdraw specific powers of a governing board under its jurisdiction for a period not to exceed two years if the council makes a determination that any of the following conditions exist:

(1) The governing board has failed for two consecutive years to develop an institutional compact as required in §18B-1D-7 of this code;

(2) The council has received information, substantiated by independent audit, of significant mismanagement or failure to carry out the powers and duties of the board of governors according to state law; or

(3) Other circumstances which, in the view of the council, severely limit the capacity of the board of governors to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

The period of withdrawal of specific powers may not exceed two years during which time the council is authorized to take steps necessary to reestablish the conditions for restoration of sound, stable, and responsible institutional governance.

(f) In addition to the powers and duties provided for in subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section and any others assigned to it by law, the council has those powers and duties necessary or expedient to accomplish the purposes of this article; and

(g) When the council and commission, each, is required to consent, cooperate, collaborate, or provide input into the actions of the other the following conditions apply:

(1) The body acting first shall convey its decision in the matter to the other body with a request for concurrence in the action;

(2) The commission or the council, as the receiving body, shall place the proposal on its agenda and shall take final action within 60 days of the date when the request for concurrence is received; and

(3) If the receiving body fails to take final action within 60 days, the original proposal stands and is binding on both the commission and the council.

ARTICLE 4. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.

§18B-4-2. Employment of Vice Chancellor for Administration; office; powers and duties generally.

(a) By and with the advice and consent of the council, the commission shall employ a Vice Chancellor for Administration who may not be dismissed without the consent of the council. (1) The individual serving as Vice Chancellor for Administration on the effective date of this section may continue to serve on an interim basis until the commission and the council have agreed, jointly, on a candidate to fill the position; (2) The Interim Vice Chancellor for Administration may be considered as a candidate for the position; (3) The position shall be filled on a permanent basis no later than October 1, 2004; and (4) Any vacancy occurring in this position shall be filled pursuant to the requirements of this section.

(b) Any reference in this chapter or Chapter 18C of this code to the senior administrator means the Vice Chancellor for Administration.

(c) The Vice Chancellor for Administration has a ministerial duty, in consultation with and under direction of the chancellors, to perform such functions, tasks, and duties as may be necessary to carry out the policy directives of the council and commission and such other duties as may be prescribed by law.

(d) The Vice Chancellor for Administration shall supervise such professional, administrative, clerical, and other employees as may be necessary to these duties and shall delineate staff responsibilities as considered desirable and appropriate. It is the responsibility of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, within the parameters of the total resources available, to supervise and direct the staff in such a way that the staff and resource needs of the council, the commission and the offices of the chancellors are met.

(e) Any employee of the commission or the council whose job duties meet criteria listed in the system of job classifications as stated in §18B-9-1 et seq. of this code is accorded the job title, compensation, and rights established in the article as well as all other rights and privileges accorded classified employees by the provisions of this code.

(f) The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration and all personnel, except for the chancellor for community and technical college education and staff transferred to the jurisdiction of the council pursuant to §18B-2B-7(a) of this code, who are employed on January 1, 2004, within the higher education central office and the West Virginia Network For Educational Telecomputing remain under the jurisdiction of the commission: Prior to October 1, 2004, any such employee may not be terminated or have his or her salary and benefit levels reduced as the result of the higher education reorganization that occurs on the effective date of this section  Provided, That effective July 1, 2020, pursuant to §5A-6-9 of this code, the West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing and all of its property and personnel are transferred to the jurisdiction of the Office of Technology.

(g) The Vice Chancellor for Administration shall follow state and national education trends and gather data on higher education needs.

(h) The Vice Chancellor for Administration, in accordance with established guidelines and in consultation with and under the direction of the chancellors, shall administer, oversee, or monitor all state and federal student assistance and support programs administered on the state level, including those provided for in Chapter 18C of this code.

(i) The Vice Chancellor for Administration has a fiduciary responsibility to administer the tuition and registration fee capital improvement revenue bond accounts of the governing boards.

(j) The Vice Chancellor for Administration shall administer the purchasing system or systems of the council and commission, the offices of the chancellors, and the governing boards. By mutual agreement, the commission and the council may delegate authority for the purchasing systems or portions thereof to the institution presidents.

(k) The Vice Chancellor for Administration is responsible for the management of the West Virginia network for educational telecomputing (WVNET). The Vice Chancellor for Administration shall establish a computer advisory board, which shall be representative of higher education and other users of the West Virginia network for educational telecomputing as the commission and council determine appropriate. It is the responsibility of the computer advisory board to recommend to the commission and the council policies for a statewide shared computer system

(l)(k) The central office, under the direction of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, shall provide necessary staff support to the commission, the council and offices of the chancellors.

(m)(l) The Vice Chancellor for Administration may administer any program or service authorized or required to be performed by the board of trustees or the board of directors on June 30, 2000, and not specifically assigned to another agency. In addition, the Vice Chancellor for Administration may administer any program or service authorized or required to be performed by the commission, council, or chancellors, but not assigned specifically to the commission, council, or chancellors. Any such program or service may include, but is not limited to, telecommunications activities and other programs and services provided for under grants and contracts from federal and other external funding sources.

ARTICLE 6. ADVISORY COUNCILS.

§18B-6-1a. Definitions.

For the purposes of this article, the following words have the meanings specified unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(a) “Advisory Council of Classified Employees” or “classified council” means the state advisory organization of classified employees created pursuant to section five of this article.

(b) “Advisory Council of Faculty” or “faculty council” means the state advisory organization of faculty created pursuant to section two of this article.

(c) “Advisory Council of Students” or “student advisory council” means the state advisory organization of students created pursuant to section four of this article.

(d) “Classified employee”, in the singular or plural, means any regular full-time or regular part-time employee of a governing board, the commission, or the council or the West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing who holds a position that is assigned a particular job title and pay grade in accordance with the personnel classification system established by law.

(e) “Community and technical college” means Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, Marshall Community and Technical College, New River Community and Technical College, West Virginia Northern Community and Technical College, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, West Virginia State Community and Technical College, the Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology, West Virginia University at Parkersburg, and any other community and technical college so designated by the Legislature.

(f) “Council” means the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education created pursuant to §18B-1B-3 of this code.

(g) “Institutional Classified Employee Council” or “staff council” means the advisory group of classified employees formed at a state institution of higher education pursuant to section six of this article.

(h) “Institutional faculty Senate”, “faculty Senate” or “faculty assembly” means the advisory group of faculty formed at a state institution of higher education pursuant to section three of this article.

(i) “State institution of higher education”, in the singular or plural, means the institutions as defined in §18B-1-2 of this code and, additionally, Pierpont Community and Technical College, a division of Fairmont State University; Marshall Community and Technical College; New River Community and Technical College; Potomac State College of West Virginia University; Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Charleston Division of West Virginia University; Blue Ridge Community and Technical College; West Virginia State Community and Technical College, West Virginia University at Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology, the Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology; the Higher Education Policy Commission; the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education; the West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing and any other institution so designated by the Legislature.

 

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to transfer the West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing and all its property and personnel to the Office of Technology.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law  and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.