SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5237

                    As of January 19, 1999

Title:  An act relating to veterans' exemptions from higher education tuition and fees.

Brief Description:  Extending veterans' exemptions from higher education tuition.

Sponsors:  Senators Winsley, Goings, Roach, Oke, Swecker, Rasmussen, T. Sheldon, Hale and Benton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  1/27/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  The governing boards of the state's public higher education institutions may exempt veterans of the Vietnam conflict who served in Southeast Asia from any increase in student tuition and fees.  The veteran shall not be required to pay more than the total amount of tuition and fees paid by veterans of the Vietnam conflict on October 1, 1977.  To qualify for the exemption, the veteran must be a resident student and must have served in Southeast Asia during the time period between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975.  Currently, the expiration date for this tuition exemption is June 30, 1999.

The governing boards of the state's public higher education institutions may exempt veterans of the Persian Gulf combat zone from increases in tuition and fees that occur after the 1990-91 academic year.  To qualify for the exemption, the veteran must have qualified as a resident student if enrolled as a student on August 1, 1990.  The veteran also must have served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States during any portion of 1991 in the Persian Gulf combat zone.  Currently, the expiration date for this tuition exemption is June 30, 1999.

Summary of Bill:  For the Persian Gulf veterans and the Vietnam veterans, the expiration date for the permissive and variable tuition exemptions is extended to June 30, 2004.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 19, 1999.

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