SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6531

                    As of January 30, 1998

Title:  An act relating to operating fee surcharges for pharmacy students.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the exemption of pharmacy students from operating fee surcharges.

Sponsors:  Senators Thibaudeau, Horn and Kohl.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/3/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  Governing boards at Washington's public colleges and universities collect tuition from students registering for any quarter or semester.  Students registering for more than 18 credit hours of coursework are required to pay a surcharge for each credit hour over 18.  Institutions may exempt all or a portion of the additional operating fee for students who are registered in a first professional program for medicine, dental medicine, veterinary medicine, law, or those registered exclusively in required courses in vocational preparatory programs.

Summary of Bill:  Students who are registered in the pharmacy program may be exempt from the surcharge applied to more than 18 credit hours per term.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 21, 1998.

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