Brief Description: Exempting the surviving spouse and children of certain law enforcement officers or fire fighters from paying tuition and fees.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Delvin, Cairnes, Lovick, Hankins, Simpson, Roach, Bush, Fromhold, Ericksen, McDonald, Woods, Cooper, Campbell, Anderson and Kenney.

Hearing Date: 2/11/03

Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).

Background:

State law regarding college and university tuition and fees applies to the state and regional universities and to The Evergreen State College. A separate chapter governs tuition and fees at the community and technical colleges.

State and regional universities and The Evergreen State College are permitted to waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for veterans who are no longer eligible for federal educational and vocational benefits, and for the children of law enforcement officers and fire fighters who died or became disabled in the line of duty. In order to be eligible for a full or partial tuition exemption, the child of a deceased or disabled law enforcement officer or firefighter must enroll in the college or university with 10 years of high school graduation.

Summary of Bill:

Current permissive tuition waiver authority for veterans and for the children of deceased or disabled law enforcement officers and fire fighters is changed to require that all or a portion of tuition and fees be waived for these persons. In addition all or a portion of tuition and fees must be waived for the surviving spouse of a deceased law enforcement officer or fire fighter who died in the line of duty.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.