HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2549

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to transfer fees for nonresident students.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting school districts from establishing transfer fees for transfer students.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Peery, D. Sommers, Jacobsen, Scott and Rayburn.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, February 6, 1992, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Peery, Chair; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Broback; Carlson; P. Johnson; Jones; J. Kohl; Neher; Roland; H. Sommers; and Valle.

Minority Report: Do not pass.  Signed by 5 members:  Representatives Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle; G. Cole; Orr; and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:

The 1990 Legislature modified provisions in law regarding the transfer of students from one school district to another.  Under this "Educational Choice" legislation, school districts were required to release students, if requested, to attend school in another district if specified conditions were met (e.g. the new school was closer to the parent's place of work or the child's daycare).

The legislation allowed the non-resident school district accepting the student to charge a transfer fee.  According to a survey conducted by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 29 school districts have decided to charge transfer fees.  Annual fees charged by these districts range from $100 (Carbonado) to $1,610 (Mercer Island).

Parents and others have been concerned that certain school districts have transfer fees that are too high, thereby making it difficult or impossible for middle and low income students to utilize "choice" opportunities.

Summary of Amended Bill:  School districts may not charge tuition or transfer fees for non-resident students who transfer into the school district under the state's educational choice program.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  It was clarified that school districts may not charge transferring students transfer fees or tuition.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Being able to transfer from one school district to another should not be dependent on the income of the student's family.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Steve Thorson (supports); Alan Ringen (supports); Rudy Smith (supports); and Julie Sweeney (supports).