SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6235

As of January 29, 2002

Title:  An act relating to residency for purposes of tuition at institutions of higher education.

Brief Description:  Expanding the definition of resident student for purposes of tuition at institutions of higher education.

Sponsors:  Senators Carlson, Kohl‑Welles, Hewitt, Parlette, Sheahan, McAuliffe, Johnson, Hale, Horn, Long, Deccio, West, Winsley and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  1/24/02.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Heather Lewis-Lechner (786-7448)

Background: Under current Washington law, some children who were born outside of Washington but have attended and graduated from a Washington high school are required to pay the higher nonresident tuition rate at a Washington public university or college.

Summary of Bill:   Any child who has completed a full senior year at a Washington high school and obtained a diploma from that high school is permitted  to pay resident tuition at Washington public universities and colleges if the student enrolls in such an institution within a year of receiving the diploma.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This is not meant to give special privileges to anyone but is only for fairness.  There is a definite need for this bill.  It will help expand opportunities to students who have worked hard and proven themselves academically in Washington schools.  Education is meant for all people that qualify and only with access to higher education can these students succeed in this country.  Many of these students were brought to this country when they were very young and have grown up here.  We have invested in these children in K‑12 and should not stop at higher education and throw that away.  These students are valuable resources for our country and they contribute to the diversity of our colleges and universities.  This bill represents good family values:  helping support families and keeping kids in schools.  Many students drop out of high school because they know they will not be able to go on to college.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Don Carlson, prime sponsor; Greg Gourley, Citizen; Ali Salahm Mahmoud, Institute of Service Leadership and Management; George Raffle, Teamsters Local 174; Rebecca Torres‑Valdovinos, WAESOL/Centralia College; Pedro Celis, Republican National Hispanic Assoc.; Lydia Ledesma‑Reese, Ricardo Sanchez, LEAP; Alexandra Narraez, Justin Cerrillo, UW students; Rosita Romero, WA State Hispanics; James McMahan, WSL/ASWSU.