HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1885

BYRepresentatives Nelson, Kremen, Allen, K. Wilson, Crane and P. King 

Changing eligibility requirements for student loans.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Basich, Jesernig, Nelson, Prince, Silver, Unsoeld and K. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives Barnes and Miller.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 15, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, the governing boards of state institutions of higher education are permitted to create student loan funds and to participate in federal student aid programs.  A law adopted in 1969 denies eligibility for the loans and aid to any student who organizes and/or participates in any demonstration, riot, or other activity that has the effect of interfering with or disrupting the normal educational process at the student's college or university.

SUMMARY:

The law that denies student loan and federal financial aid eligibility to any student who organizes and/or participates in any demonstration, riot, or other activity that has the effect of interfering with, or disrupting the normal education process at the student's college or university, is repealed.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Matthew Antush, Associated Students Western Washington University.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This law was adopted during the height of the Vietnam conflict, and has never been used to deny student aid to any student.  The law clearly infringes on a student's rights of free speech under the first amendment.  Some of the terms in the law, such as "interfere with" and "other activity", could be interpreted in many different ways.  Criminal and civil penalties are available if students participate in actions that cause property damage, or harm to others.  Student conduct codes are adopted on most campuses.  Those codes usually cover the types of actions this law addresses, and provide penalties appropriate to conditions on the campus.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.