SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1018

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Higher Education, March 31, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the Washington award for vocational excellence.

Brief Description:  Changing Washington award for vocational excellence provisions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Carlson, Kenney, Radcliff, Sheahan, Dunn, Esser and Lantz.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  3/24/99, 3/31/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, McAuliffe, Sheahan and B. Sheldon.

Staff:  Natalie Adams (786-7444)

Background:  In 1984, the Legislature created the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship program recognizing outstanding achievements of students in occupational training programs.

To qualify for the two-year award, recipients must enter an institution of higher education within three years.  In addition, recipients must maintain above average rating during the first year to qualify for the second year award.

Currently, the program does not provide a limit on the amount of time recipients have to use the award.  As a result of the lack of time limit, administrators of the program have difficulty determining students' eligibility and projecting budgetary costs for future scholarship awards.

Summary of Bill:  Time limits are established to assist administrators in determining student eligibility and projecting future budgetary costs.

Recipients who receive their award during or after the 1998-99 academic year must use their award within six years.

Recipients who received their award before the 1995-96 academic year must use their award by September 2002.

Recipients who received their award in the 1995-96, 1996-97 or 1997-98 academic years must use their award by September 2005.

Recipients who fail to use their award within the specified time limit forfeit their award.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This is simply an administrative bill that is intended to solve problems the board has had with administering the award program.  The pattern of use indicates that most students use the award within four to five years or not at all.  Approximately 30 to 40 percent of awards go unclaimed.  We have set a reasonable time limit to solve administrative problems.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Wes Pruitt, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (pro).