SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1706
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 Senate Committee On:
Higher Education, March 24, 2015
Title: An act relating to authorizing waivers of building fees and services and activities fees for certain military service members.
Brief Description: Authorizing waivers of building fees and services and activities fees for certain military service members.
Sponsors: Representatives Stanford, Zeiger, Reykdal, Haler, Tarleton, Hayes, Sells, Stambaugh, Klippert, Smith and Gregerson; by request of State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/02/15, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Higher Education: 3/19/15, 3/24/15 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Bailey, Chair; Kohl-Welles, Ranking Minority Member; Becker, Frockt, Liias and Miloscia.
Staff: Evan Klein (786-7483)
Background: U.S. Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program. Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Each service has the ability to pay up to 100 percent for the tuition expenses of its members. Military tuition assistance does not currently cover building fees or service and activity fees associated with attending an institution of higher education.
Washington Military Tuition Waiver. Subject to the limitations on the total amount of operating fees that each Washington institution of higher education may waive, the institutions of higher education may waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for an eligible veteran or National Guard member.
The institutions of higher education must waive all tuition and fees for the following:
a child and spouse or domestic partner, or surviving spouse or domestic partner, of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who became totally disabled as a result of active service, or who is a prisoner of war; and
a child and the surviving spouse or domestic partner of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who lost their life as a result of serving in active duty.
Summary of Bill: Waivers of building fees and services and activities fees for certain military service members are authorized.
For military service members eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of Defense tuition assistance program, the governing boards of the community and technical colleges and the four-year institutions may waive all or a portion of the building fees and services and activities fees not covered by the program.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is an important bill for the 2500 military members that rely on this tuition assistance. This bill picks up where the tuition assistance program leaves off by covering some of the students' fees.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Nick Lutes, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Persons Signed in to Testify But Not Testifying: No one.