SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2542

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 Reported by Senate Committee On:

Higher Education & Workforce Development, February 25, 2020

Ways & Means, February 29, 2020

Title: An act relating to tuition waivers for children of eligible veterans.

Brief Description: Concerning tuition waivers for children of eligible veterans.

Sponsors: Representatives Paul, Dufault, Kilduff, Leavitt, Peterson, Graham, Smith, Volz, Ormsby and Shea.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/20, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 2/20/20, 2/25/20 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means: 2/28/20, 2/29/20 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Provides a child of a parent who was totally disabled as a result of serving in the military or naval service eight years to use a tuition waiver if the determination of the disability occurs after the child turns 18, but before age 26.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Randall, Chair; Stanford, Vice Chair; Holy, Ranking Member; Brown and Liias.

Staff: Kellee Gunn (786-7429)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Frockt, Vice Chair, Operating, Capital Lead; Mullet, Capital Budget Cabinet; Braun, Ranking Member; Brown, Assistant Ranking Member, Operating; Honeyford, Assistant Ranking Member, Capital; Becker, Billig, Carlyle, Conway, Darneille, Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser, Liias, Muzzall, Pedersen, Rivers, Schoesler, Van De Wege, Wagoner, Warnick and Wilson, L..

Staff: Michele Alishahi (786-7433)

Background: Tuition Waiver. Institutions of higher education (institutions) may waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for eligible veterans and National Guard members. An eligible veteran or National Guard member is a Washington domiciliary who was an active or reserve member of the United States military or naval forces, or a National Guard member called to active duty, who served in active federal service under either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code, in a war or conflict on foreign soil or in international waters, or in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and if discharged from service, has received an honorable discharge or any other discharge if the sole reason for discharge is due to gender or sexuality.

Institutions must waive all tuition and fees for the children and spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who became totally disabled as a result from serving in active federal military or naval service, or who is determined by the federal government to be a prisoner of war or missing in action, or who lost their life as a result of serving in active federal military or naval service. For a child to receive the tuition waiver, the child must be a Washington domiciliary between the ages of 17 and 26.

Summary of Bill: A child has eight years from the date of the parent's disability determination to use the tuition waiver if the determination of disability occurs after the child turns 18 years old, but before 26 years old.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Higher Education & Workforce Development): PRO: State laws provide a benefit to children or spouses of a veteran that is totally disabled as a result of their service. The Department of Defense is slow at making that determination. This bill will allow for those in the service to still qualify for the waiver while the paperwork is being finished.

Persons Testifying (Higher Education & Workforce Development): PRO: Representative Dave Paul, Prime Sponsor; Matthew Sutherland, Professional Student Association of WSU.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Higher Education & Workforce Development): No one.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): None.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): No one.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Ways & Means): No one.