SENATE BILL REPORT

                  2SHB 2061

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Higher Education, March 31, 1999

Title:  An act relating to higher education, but only with respect to tuition and fees at community colleges and residency requirements.

Brief Description:  Changing community college provisions.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Dunn, Lantz, Veloria and Carlson).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  3/29/99, 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:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  Under current statutes, college students who enroll for fewer than two credits are charged the tuition and services and activities fee for two credits.

Summary of Bill:  The two credit minimum tuition and fee requirement is eliminated for community college students.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available on original bill.

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

Testimony For:  A barrier to improving workplace skills is eliminated.  The two credit minimum is in the way of WorkFirst; it is also a fairness issue.  The residency study will happen with or without legislation.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Phyllis Kenney, prime sponsor; Jan Yoshiwara, SBCTC.