SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5904

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Higher Education, March 4, 1997

Title:  An act relating to higher education fees.

Brief Description:  Raising the total amount of waivers allowed for Central Washington University.

Sponsors:  Senators Wood, Kohl and Prince.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  3/3/97, 3/4/97 [DPS-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5904 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Wood, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Hale, Kohl, Patterson, Prentice, Sheldon and West.

Staff:  Jennifer Hanlon (786-7784)

Background:  Through approximately 35 different programs, the baccalaureate institutions and community colleges may waive all or a portion of a student's tuition and fees.  There is a statutory limit on the amount of operating fee revenue that each baccalaureate institution and the community colleges as a whole may waive.  The waiver cap ranges from a high of 35 percent for all of the community colleges to a low of 6 percent for The Evergreen State College.  These limits may be revised through statute or through the biennial budget act.       

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The maximum amount of estimated operating fee revenue which Central Washington University may waive is increased from 8 percent to 10 percent.  The maximum amount for Washington State University is increased to 21 percent and the maximum amount for The Evergreen State College is 10 percent.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Washington State University and The Evergreen State College are given authority to provide additional tuition waivers.  General tax support for CWU, WSU and TESC will not be increased as a result of revising the maximum waiver limit.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 25, 1997.

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

Testimony For:  Institutions use these waivers to bring more students to the school.  They are awarded considering the student=s financial need.  Institutions may choose not to exercise the full waiver; this legislation just provides more flexibility.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Martha Lindley, CWU; Kim Merriman, TESC.