SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6312

              As Passed Senate, February 6, 1996

Title:  An act relating to tuition exemptions for veterans.

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.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  1/22/96, 1/25/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/6/96, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Jennifer Hanlon (786-7784)

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 of Bill:  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.

To receive the waiver veterans must qualify as a resident student. They 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.  There are three waiver conditions the veteran no longer must meet: (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 resident student on August 1, 1990.

This chapter expires June 30, 1999.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The state Department of Veteran Affairs supports this.  The department has received positive responses regarding similar changes made to the Vietnam veterans statute.  This is an homage to the service of veterans.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  John E. Lee, Deputy Director of Washington Disabled Veterans Association (pro).

House Amendment(s):  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.