SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1824

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

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Bauer, Smitherman, Stratton, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Shawn Newman (786-7443)

                  February 23, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 26, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Saling, Smith, Warnke, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Linda Brownell (786-7715)

                  February 27, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 26, 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.  Students 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.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 21, 1990

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE WAYS & MEANS AMENDMENT:

Waivers are limited to permanent, full-time employees.

Senate Committee - Testified: HIGHER EDUCATION:  No one

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Mark Brown, Washington Federation of State Employees (pro)