SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5826

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Removes language from definition of "eligible veteran or national guard member" to ensure certain persons in support roles are not inadvertently excluded.

Background: 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. An eligible veteran or National Guard member is a Washington domiciliary who was on active or reserve duty in the United States armed forces, or a National Guard member called to active duty who served in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters and, if discharged from service, was discharged honorably.

Washington institutions of higher education may also waive tuition for veterans or National Guard members who did not serve on foreign soil, in international waters, or in another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or international waters, but the institution receives no state general fund support for these waivers.

Summary of Bill: Language is removed from the definition of "eligible veteran or national guard member" to ensure that the definition includes all Washington domiciliaries who:

were active or reserve members of the military, Navy, or National Guard; and
were called to active duty; and
served in active service in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters; or
served in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters; and
if discharged from service, had an honorable discharge from service.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Draft Bill: PRO: National Guard members go to college with a dual role as citizen soldiers. The law was originally not very clear, and two new National Guard members entered an institution and did not receive tuition waivers. This bill clarifies language to ensure that similar student National Guard members do not lose their tuition waivers in the future. The National Guard is always on a rotational basis with deployment. This bill gives these members a piece of mind where while they are stationed at home.