SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5514

               As Passed Senate, March 12, 1999

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

Brief Description:  Changing Washington award for vocational excellence provisions.

Sponsors:  Senators Shin, Kohl‑Welles, Patterson, Eide, Kline, Bauer, Franklin, B. Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Prentice, Hale, T. Sheldon, Goings, Jacobsen, Winsley, Rasmussen and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/3/99, 2/10/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/12/99, 44-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Kohl‑Welles, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Bauer, Horn, 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, the recipient must enter an institution of higher education within three years.  In addition, the recipient 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 the recipient has to use the award.  As a result of the lack of time limit, administrators of the program have difficulty determining a student's eligibility and projecting budgetary costs for future scholarship awards.

Summary of Bill:  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 will 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 a simple little bill that should have no problematic impacts.  In order to address problems in administering the award, limits will be placed on the amount of time recipients have to use their awards.  Many students save their awards in case they decide to pursue higher education beyond the two-year institutions.

Testimony Against:  None.

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