SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5760

                As Passed Senate, March 6, 1995

Title:  An act relating to higher education tuition.

Brief Description:  Eliminating the number restriction on waivers for foreign students at institutions of higher education.

Sponsors:  Senators Kohl, McAuliffe, Wood, Drew and Prince.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/13/95, 2/23/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/6/95, 47-2.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Bauer, Chair; Kohl, Vice Chair; Drew, McAuliffe, Prince, Sheldon and Wood.

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background:  Under current law, the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College may waive all or a portion of the tuition, and services and activities fees for undergraduate or graduate students of foreign nations.  There is a restriction on the number of waivers that may be awarded to students of foreign nations.  Each of the two state universities cannot award more than 100 waivers to undergraduate or graduate students of foreign nations.  Each of the regional universities and The Evergreen State College cannot award more than 20 waivers to undergraduate or graduate students of foreign nations.

Summary of Bill:  The restriction on the number of waivers that may be awarded to students of foreign nations to attend institutions of higher education in Washington State is eliminated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 6, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  This waiver program promotes reciprocal arrangements in foreign nations for Washington State residents.  Most international universities do not charge tuition.  This waiver program creates a space for Washington students to study abroad.  Studying abroad makes a student more competitive in the international workforce, which creates more options for the student.

Testimony Against:   None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator  Kohl, prime sponsor; Joe Norman, UW; Richard Moxin, UW.