Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

College & Workforce Development Committee

SB 5119

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.

Brief Description: Including highway workers employed on a transportation project by a contractor in the tuition and fee exemption for children and surviving spouses of highway workers.

Brief Summary of Bill

Expands the category of highway workers, for purposes of mandatory tuition waivers for children and surviving spouses, to highway workers employed on a transportation project by a general contractor or subcontractor.

Background:

State law authorizes the public institutions of higher education to grant both discretionary and mandatory tuition waivers or exemptions for certain categories of students. Both the four-year institutions and the community and technical colleges are required to waive tuition and services and activities fees for children and surviving spouses of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed or become totally disabled in the line of duty.

The public four-year institutions of higher education are also required to waive tuition and student and activities fees for children and surviving spouses of highway workers employed by a transportation agency. "Transportation agency" means a state or local government agency that has as its primary function the construction and maintenance of the highways and roads within the state. A transportation agency does not include a government contractor.

Summary of Bill:

The category of highway workers whose children and surviving spouses are eligible for mandatory tuition waivers is expanded to include highway workers employed on a transportation project by a general contractor or subcontractor.