SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6229

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 7, 1994

Brief Description:  Changing residency provisions in the Washington state scholars program.

SPONSORS: Senators Spanel, Prince, Bauer, Drew, West, Quigley, Wojahn, Sheldon, M. Rasmussen and Winsley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Bauer, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Cantu, Prince, Quigley, Sheldon and West.

Staff:  Jean Six (786‑7423)

Hearing Dates: January 26, 1994; January 28, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The 1981 Legislature created the Washington Scholars Program to recognize and honor three high school seniors from each legislative district for their outstanding academic achievement, leadership ability, and community service.  The statute was amended in 1987 to add a new section authorizing a four-year tuition and fee waiver for undergraduate study for Scholars attending all public two-year and four-year institutions.  The statute was further amended by the 1988 Legislature to add a grant program for Scholars attending independent Washington schools.  The grant may not exceed the yearly, full-time resident, undergraduate tuition and fees charged at state-funded research universities and must be matched by the school with institutional funds.  The waiver is mandatory for awards received prior to June 30, 1994, and becomes permissive for those Scholars who receive their awards after June 30, 1994.

The Washington Scholars Program is administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board in cooperation with the Washington Association of Secondary School Principals.

Currently, students are nominated by the principal of the high school without consideration for the actual home address where the student resides.  This has led to a situation that allows for the granting of more than three awards in one legislative district while students in a neighboring legislative district receive none.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Scholars Program will honor three seniors residing in each legislative district.  The seniors will be graduating from high school and will have distinguished themselves through academic achievement, leadership ability, and community contribution.

Appropriation: none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 13, 1994

TESTIMONY FOR:

A change in the law is necessary to ensure that three Washington Scholars reside in each legislative district.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Senator Harriet Spanel, prime sponsor (pro)