SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5593
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 Passed Senate, March 5, 2019
Title: An act relating to addressing equity in access to dual credit opportunities.
Brief Description: Addressing equity in access to dual credit opportunities.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Liias, Wilson, C., Das, Kuderer, Nguyen and Saldaña).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/18/19, 2/22/19 [DPS, DNP].
Floor Activity:
Passed Senate: 3/05/19, 42-5.
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5593 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Hawkins, Ranking Member; Holy, Hunt, McCoy, Mullet, Pedersen, Salomon and Wagoner.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Padden.
Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)
Background: Running Start Program. Running Start allows 11th- and 12th-grade high school students to take courses at community colleges, technical colleges, and various four-year higher education institutions. Upon completing a course, students earn both high school and college credit.
Running Start students and their families do not pay tuition, but students must pay for college fees, purchase textbooks and other materials, and provide their own transportation to and from the institution. Since 2011, higher education institutions that are not community or technical colleges may charge up to 10 percent of tuition costs to students.
Fee Waivers for Low-Income Running Start Students. Higher education institutions must make fee waivers available for low-income Running Start students. Each institution must have a written policy for determining low-income students. Students shall be considered low-income and eligible for a fee waiver upon proof that the student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch.
Summary of First Substitute Bill: Upon knowledge of a low-income student’s enrollment in Running Start, school districts must provide documentation of the student’s low-income status directly to higher education institutions.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in consultation with the Washington Student Achievement Council, must develop a centralized process for school districts to provide student’s low-income status, subject to the availability of funds appropriated for that specific purpose.
Appropriation: The bill contains a section or sections to limit implementation to the availability of amounts appropriated for that specific purpose.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: Running Start is a unique opportunity that should be available to as many students as possible. Automatic fee waivers already exist at some institutions and should be extended across the state. It is an important equity issue for students to not have to identify themselves as low-income.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Marko Liias, Prime Sponsor; Katherine Mahoney, OSPI.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.