HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 2SHB 2061

                      As Passed House:

                       March 12, 1999

Title:  An act relating to higher education, but only with respect to tuition and fees at community colleges and residency requirements.

Brief Description:  Changing community college provisions.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Higher Education (Originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Dunn, Lantz, Veloria and Carlson).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Higher Education:  2/24/99, 2/26/99 [DPS];

Appropriations:  3/6/99 [DP2S(w/o sub HE)].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/12/99, 96-0.

        Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill

$Eliminates the two-credit minimum tuition and fee requirement at the community colleges.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Carlson, Republican Co-Chair; Kenney, Democratic Co-Chair; Lantz, Democratic Vice Chair; Radcliff, Republican Vice Chair; Dunn; Edmonds; Esser and Gombosky.

Staff:  Marilee Scarbrough (786-7196).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Higher Education.  Signed by 31 members:  Representatives Huff, Republican Co-Chair; H. Sommers, Democratic Co-Chair; Alexander, Republican Vice Chair; Doumit, Democratic Vice Chair; D. Schmidt, Republican Vice Chair; Barlean; Benson; Boldt; Carlson; Clements; Cody; Crouse; Gombosky; Grant; Kagi; Keiser; Kenney; Lambert; Linville; Lisk; Mastin; McIntire; McMorris; Mulliken; Parlette; Regala; Rockefeller; Ruderman; Sullivan; Tokuda and Wensman.

Staff:  Mary Alice Grobins (786-7118).

Background:

Under current statutes, college students who enroll for fewer than two credits are charged the tuition and services and activities fee for two credits.

Summary of Bill:

The two credit minimum tuition and fee requirement is eliminated for community college students.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on original bill February 16, 1999.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  (Higher Education) We have discussed this issue for a long time.  We need to study the issue.  The two credit minimum is a fairness issue.  Colleges are modulizing programs so working people may upgrade their skills.  People need an opportunity to upgrade their skills in courses that are less than two credits.  People who transfer to this state and show their intent to establish a residency here should be able to take courses in community colleges.  A one year domicile requirement does not make sense for employees who are transferred here, buy a home, pay taxes and register to vote in Washington.  Many people who transfer to this area want their children or spouse to take classes.  Employers also want their new hires to have access to courses in the community colleges.  We need to remove barriers to people taking classes at community colleges.

(Appropriations)  None.

Testimony Against: (Higher Education) None

(Appropriations) None.

Testified:  (Higher Education) Representative Kenney, prime sponsor; Jan Yoshiwara, State Board of Community and Technical Colleges; Jill Wakefield, South Seattle Community Colleges; George Smith, Edmonds Community College; and Ronald Merchant, Washington Education Association.

(Appropriations) None.