HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1824

As Amended by the Senate

BYHouse Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Wood, Jacobsen, Wineberry and P. King) 

Regarding tuition waivers for state employees at state institutions of higher education.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representative Jacobsen, Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Bennett, Doty, Fraser, Heavey, Jesernig, Miller, Prince and Rector.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on Higher Education be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (17)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Belcher, Bowman, Brekke, Dorn, Doty, Ebersole, Hine, Inslee, McLean, Peery, Rust, Sprenkle, Wang and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives May and Nealey.

House Staff:      Sherie Story (786-7142)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

By law, three types of students can attend institutions of higher education, on a space available basis, without paying tuition and fees.  Employees of the state colleges and universities may attend tuition free classes at the institution where they are employed. Senior citizens may attend tuition free classes at any state institution of higher education. Needy people who are unemployed or underemployed, and who are not entitled to unemployment benefits, may attend community colleges without paying tuition and fees.

Employees and senior citizens enrolling on a space available basis will be charged a fee of at least $5 to cover the institution's administrative costs.  Student who enroll on a space available basis are not counted in official enrollment reports.  The state does not reimburse the colleges and universities for their attendance. In addition, no new course sections can be created as a result of the waivers that they receive.

SUMMARY:

State colleges and universities are permitted to waive tuition and fees for state employees in classified service. These employees must enroll on a space available basis, and must pay a registration fee of at least $5.  These students will not be included in official enrollment reports, and the institutions will not receive any state funding for them.

State employees in classified service under the State Personnel and Higher Education Personnel systems are eligible to participate.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  Only permanent full-time employees in classified service under the state personnel and higher education personnel systems are eligible to receive tuition waivers.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Higher Education)  Gary Moore, Washington Federation of State Employees; and Dorothy Gerard, Higher Education Personnel Board.

(Appropriations):  No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Higher Education)  No one.

(Appropriations):  No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Higher Education)  The state needs a work force that has the skills and technical training necessary to serve the changing needs of state agencies.  Permitting state employees to use empty chairs in colleges and universities is a cost-effective way of providing them with technical training and professional upgrading.  The legislation implements one of the recommendations of the Efficiency Commission. These waivers will provide women and minorities with a path to enter skilled crafts, and will provide the state with a recruitment tool for new employees.

(Appropriations):  None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Higher Education)  None.

(Appropriations):  None.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 92; Excused 6

Excused:    Representatives Ballard, Basich, Baugher, Chandler, Gallagher, Sommers D.