SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1188

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Higher Education, March 24, 1997

Title:  An act relating to tuition differential exemptions for medical students.

Brief Description:  Exempting Wyoming students admitted to the University of Washington's medical school from the tuition differential.

Sponsors:  Representatives Carlson, Mason, Radcliff, Kenney, Butler, O'Brien, Van Luven, Sheahan, Dunn, Dyer, Chopp and Murray.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  3/20/97, 3/24/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Wood, Chair; Bauer, Kohl, Patterson, Prince, Sheldon and West.

Staff:  Jennifer Hanlon (786-7784)

Background:  WAMI is a regional medical education program between the universities in Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.  In 1971, private groups and the federal government funded WAMI to help fill the need for more general physicians in small communities in the participating states.  The federal and private sources of funding were eventually phased out, but the participating states wanted to continue the program.

In 1975, the Legislature statutorily created the WAMI program.  Students at the University of Washington Medical School may be exempt from paying all or a portion of the difference between the cost of resident and nonresident tuition if they are from a WAMI state.  In 1981, the Legislature included students at the School of Dentistry.

The participating states reimburse the University of Washington for the proportional cost of the program.

Summary of Bill:  Wyoming is added to the WAMI program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This legislation expands the WAMI program without adversely impacting Washington students.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Don Carlson, prime sponsor; Tom Norris, UW Medical School.