SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5355

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of February 12, 2015

Title: An act relating to modifying the definition of resident student to comply with federal requirements established by the veterans access, choice, and accountability act of 2014.

Brief Description: Modifying the definition of resident student to comply with federal requirements established by the veterans access, choice, and accountability act of 2014.

Sponsors: Senators Bailey, Kohl-Welles, Roach, Conway, Braun, Baumgartner, Rolfes, O'Ban, McAuliffe and Chase; by request of Governor Inslee.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 2/05/15.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff: Evan Klein (786-7483)

Background: Washington Resident Students. In 2014 Washington removed the one-year waiting period for veterans for purposes of receiving resident tuition rates at Washington higher education institutions. A Washington state resident student includes a student who has separated from the military under honorable conditions after at least two years of service, and who enters an institution of higher education in Washington within one year of the date of separation who:

Students who are the spouse or a dependant of an individual who separated from the military under the aforementioned conditions, are also resident students.

Resident students are eligible for resident tuition rates at institutions of higher education in Washington. With some exceptions, resident students are charged tuition rates that are generally much lower than the tuition rates charged to non-resident students.

Veterans Choice Act. The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (Choice Act) requires states to offer in-state tuition rates to all veterans living in that state who have enrolled at an in-state higher education institution within three years of departing the military. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must disapprove a course of education for Post-9/11 GI Bill funds disbursement at institutions that do not provide resident tuition to all covered individuals under the Choice Act. A covered individual includes the following:

Washington State does not currently provide resident tuition rates to all covered individuals under the Choice Act.

Summary of Bill: The definition of resident student is amended to include the following:

Active duty service means full-time duty, other than active duty for training, as a member of the uniformed service of the United States. Active duty as a National Guard member for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, training, or responding to a national emergency is recognized as active duty service.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill is merely a technical correction to legislation passed last year. The correction is needed to align state and federal requirements. Washington needs to match the federal requirements or veterans will lose their benefits under the GI Bill. This proposal would let students continue to attend Washington institutions and use GI Bill funds, and will allow institutions to continue to receive GI Bill funds. The benefits of the GI Bill help veterans realize their dreams of attending college.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Ted Wicorek, Veterans Legislative Coalition; Scott Copeland, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Antonio Sanchez, Central WA University; Cody Eccles, Council of Presidents; Jim Baumgart, Office of the Governor; Maddy Thompson, WA Student Achievement Council; Heather Heffelmire, WA Student Assn., Western WA University.