COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Rep. Don Carlson, Republican Co-Chair; and

Rep. Phyllis Kenney, Democratic Co-Chair

BILL ANALYSIS -- HB 2061

Brief Description:  Changing community college provisions.

Background:

The definitions for resident and nonresident students are created in statute.  Resident students who are dependent must prove that their parents have maintained a domicile in Washington for at least one year prior to the student's enrollment.  The independent student must prove their domicile in Washington for one year prior to enrollment.  Some students who meet special circumstances outlined in statute are granted exemptions from these residency requirments.

Under current statutes, students who enroll for fewer than two credits are charged the tuition and services and activities fee for two credits.

Summary:

A committee is appointed to study residency requirements for out-of-state tuition.  The committee will consist of representatives from the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, the Office of Financial Management, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the four-year institutions of higher education.

The committee will study the impact of current residency requirements on economic development and how the residency requirements should be applied to distance learning.

A final report shall be provided to the  higher education committees by December 1, 1999.

Community colleges are exempt from the two credit minimum tuition and fee requirement.

Prepared for the House Higher Education Committee         

by Marilee Scarbrough, Counsel (786-7196)

Office of Program Research

February 23, 1999