SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5412

                              AS OF MARCH 1, 1991

Brief Description:  Waiving tuition for public school employees at state institutions of higher education.

SPONSORS:Senators Bailey, Snyder and von Reichbauer.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Jean Six (786‑7423)

Hearing Dates:March 4, 1991

BACKGROUND:

By law, four types of students may attend institutions of higher education, on a space available basis, without paying tuition and fees.  Employees of the state colleges and universities may attend tuition free classes at the institution where they are employed.  Senior citizens may attend tuition free classes at any state institution of higher education.  Needy people who are unemployed or underemployed, and who are not entitled to unemployment benefits, may attend community colleges without paying tuition and fees.  The 1990 Legislature authorized the colleges and universities to waive tuition and fees for eligible state employees.

Employees and senior citizens enrolling on a space available basis will be charged a fee of at least $5 to cover the institution's administrative costs.  Students who enroll on a space available basis are not counted in official enrollment reports.  The state does not reimburse the colleges and universities for their attendance.  In addition, no new course sections can be created as a result of the waivers they receive.

SUMMARY:

State colleges and universities are permitted to waive tuition and fees for employees of public school districts.  These employees must enroll at the institution on a space available basis and must pay a registration fee of at least $5.  No new course sections can be created as a result of their enrollment.  Participating employees will not be included in official enrollment reports and the institutions will not receive any funding for them.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available