FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 6312

                          C 169 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing the tuition exemption for veterans of the Persian Gulf combat zone.

Sponsors:  Senators Bauer, Oke, Kohl, Rasmussen, Sutherland, Snyder, Heavey, Goings and Sheldon.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

House Committee on Higher Education

Background:  The governing boards of the state's public higher education institutions may exempt veterans of the Persian Gulf combat zone from increases in tuition and fees that occur after the 1990-91 academic year.  Veterans receiving the exemption must:  (1) have qualified as a Washington resident student, had he or she been enrolled on August 1, 1990; (2) be enrolled for seven or more quarter credits per academic year; and (3) have an adjusted gross family income not exceeding Washington's median family income.  Additionally, the veteran must have served as a member of the armed military or naval forces in a combat zone during any part of 1991.

Summary:  Public institutions of higher education may exempt eligible Persian Gulf combat zone veterans from all or a portion of tuition and fee increases adopted after the 1990-91 academic year.

A veteran is eligible for the tuition waiver if the veteran could have qualified as a Washington resident, had he or she been enrolled as a student on August 1, 1990.  The veteran must also have served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States during any portion of 1991 in the Persian Gulf combat zone.  Three waiver conditions the veteran no longer must meet are that he or she:  (1) remain continuously enrolled for at least seven credits per term; (2) have an adjusted gross family income at or below the state's median family income; and (3) could have qualified as a resident student on August 1, 1990.

This chapter expires June 30, 1999.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    49 0

House     94 0 (House amended)

Senate    47 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  June 6, 1996