HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5101
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Higher Education
Title: An act relating to waiving tuition and fees for public and vocational school teachers and other certificated instructional staff.
Brief Description: Expanding higher education tuition waivers to include certain certificated instructional staff.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, McAuliffe, Fairley, Weinstein, Marr, Shin, Oemig, Fraser, Kline, Regala, Rasmussen, Tom, Kohl-Welles and Haugen).
Brief History:
Higher Education: 3/21/07, 3/29/07 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill (As Amended by House Committee) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Wallace, Chair; Sells, Vice Chair; Anderson, Ranking Minority Member; Buri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hasegawa, Jarrett, McIntire and Roberts.
Staff: Andrew Colvin (786-7304).
Background:
Washington institutions of higher education may waive all or a portion of tuition, services,
and activity fees for state employees. "State employees" are defined as permanent classified
state employees; state, county, or municipal employees governed by the chapter on collective
bargaining; permanent classified and exempt paraprofessional employees at technical
colleges; and faculty, counselors, librarians, and exempt professional and administrative
employees at institutions of higher education. Tuition waived for such state employees is not
presumed to be reimbursed by state funds.
The employees are enrolled on a space available basis and are charged a registration fee of at
least $5. Their enrollment information is not included in official enrollment reports.
Teachers and certificated instructional staff are subject to various continuing education
requirements to maintain their teaching credentials.
Summary of Amended Bill:
The tuition waiver currently available to state employees is made available to teachers and
certificated instructional staff at public common schools and vocational schools who are
taking college courses to fulfill their continuing education requirements. These waivers are
provided on a space-available basis and require the recipient of the waiver to pay a
registration fee of at least $5.
Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:
Teachers are removed from the definition of "state employees" and placed in a separate
subsection. The qualification for which teachers are eligible for the waiver is changed to
include all teachers enrolling to meet continuing education requirements.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill simply extends the benefit of this tuition waiver to teachers. Graduate
credits are expensive, and yet teachers are required to continue their education. This is not a
full tuition waiver, but will especially help newer teachers with the costs of their continuing
education. It is only available on a space-available basis.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Hewitt, prime sponsor.