AN ACT Relating to higher education fees; and amending RCW 28B.15.380, 28B.15.520, 28B.35.361, and 28B.40.361.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 28B.15.380, chapter 223, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as last amended by section 23, chapter 390, Laws of 1985 and RCW 28B.15.380 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to any other exemptions as may be provided by law, the board of regents at the state universities may exempt the following classes of persons from the payment of tuition fees or services and activities fees except for individual instruction fees: (1) All veterans as defined in RCW 41.04.005: PROVIDED, That such persons are no longer entitled to federal vocational or educational benefits conferred by virtue of their military service: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That if any such veterans have not resided in this state for one year prior to registration said board may exempt them up to one-half of the tuition payable by other nonresident students: AND, PROVIDED FURTHER, That such exemptions shall be provided only to those persons otherwise covered who were enrolled in universities on or before October 1, 1977. (2) Children ((~~after the age of nineteen years~~)) of any law enforcement officer or fire fighter who lost his life or became totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by any public law enforcement agency or full time or volunteer fire department in this state: PROVIDED, That such persons may receive the exemption only if they begin their course of study at a state university within ten years of their graduation from high school.

Sec. 2. Section 1, chapter 390, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28B.15.520 are each amended to read as follows:

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or chapter 28B.50 RCW as now or hereafter amended:

(1) Boards of trustees of the various community colleges shall waive tuition fees and services and activities fees for students nineteen years of age or older who are eligible for resident tuition and fee rates as defined in RCW 28B.15.012 through 28B.15.015 and who enroll in a course of study or program which will enable them to finish their high school education and obtain a high school diploma or certificate((~~, and~~));

(2) The various community college boards may waive the tuition and services and activities fees for children ((~~after the age of nineteen years~~)) of any law enforcement officer or fire fighter who lost his life or became totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by any public law enforcement agency or full time or volunteer fire department in this state((.)): PROVIDED, That such persons may receive the exemption only if they begin their course of study at a community college within ten years of their graduation from high school;

(3) Boards of trustees of the various community colleges may waive residency requirements for students enrolled in that community college in a course of study or program which will enable them to finish their high school education and obtain a high school diploma or certificate. The waiver shall be in effect only for those courses which lead to a high school diploma or certificate((.)); and

(4) Boards of trustees of the various community colleges may waive the nonresident portion of tuition and fees for up to forty percent of the students enrolled in the regional education program for deaf students, subject to federal funding of such program.

Sec. 3. Section 59, chapter 169, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. as last amended by section 46, chapter 390, Laws of 1985 and RCW 28B.35.361 are each amended to read as follows:

The boards of trustees of each regional university may exempt from the payment of tuition or services and activities fees, except for individual instruction fees, (1) all veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States who have served the United States during any period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 and who shall have served with evidence of conduct other than undesirable, bad conduct or dishonorable upon release from active service: PROVIDED, That such person is no longer entitled to federal vocational or educational benefits conferred by virtue of his military service: PROVIDED FURTHER, That such exemptions shall be provided only to those persons otherwise covered who were enrolled in the regional universities on or before October 1, 1977, and (2) all children ((~~after the age of nineteen years~~)) of any law enforcement officer or fire fighter who lost his life or became totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by any public law enforcement agency or full time or volunteer fire department in this state: PROVIDED, That such persons may receive the exemption only if they begin their course of study at a regional university within ten years of their graduation from high school.

Sec. 4. Section 9, chapter 269, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as last amended by section 53, chapter 390, Laws of 1985 and RCW 28B.40.361 are each amended to read as follows:

The board of trustees of The Evergreen State College may exempt from the payment of tuition or services and activities fees, except for individual instruction fees, (1) all veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States who have served the United States during any period of war as defined in RCW 41.04.005 and who shall have served with evidence of conduct other than undesirable, bad conduct or dishonorable upon release from active service: PROVIDED, That such person is no longer entitled to federal vocational or educational benefits conferred by virtue of his military service: PROVIDED FURTHER, That such exemptions shall be provided only to those persons otherwise covered who were enrolled in state colleges on or before October 1, 1977, and (2) all children ((~~after the age of nineteen years~~)) of any law enforcement officer or fire fighter who lost his life or became totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by any public law enforcement agency or full time or volunteer fire department in this state: PROVIDED, That such persons may receive the exemption only if they begin their course of study at the Evergreen State College within ten years of their graduation from high school.