COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Rep. Don Carlson, Republican Co-Chair; and

Rep. Phyllis Kenney, Democratic Co-Chair

BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2891

Brief Description: Treating active duty military personnel as residents for purposes of higher education tuition.

Background: The level of tuition required for active duty military personnel, their spouses, and their dependents has been debated in the Legislature a number of times.  In 1971, the statutes defining resident and nonresident students were consolidated; the nonresident differential was waived for active duty military and other groups.  In the early 1980's, the tuition waiver programs were reviewed to determine whether or not to continue those not based on financial need.  In 1982, the waiver of the nonresident fee differential was repealed for military as a means of generating additional general fund revenue.  Projected revenue did not materialize, and in 1984, the waiver was reenacted.

Upon the recommendation of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the 1992 Legislature made all tuition waiver programs permissive and variable.  The community college system decided to grant partial waivers to all students in all waiver categories.  Each of the four-year institutions developed its own methodology for granting the variable and permissive waivers.

In 1993, the Legislature included in the definition of Aresident student@ the spouses and dependents of active duty military personnel stationed in Washington--thus allowing them to pay tuition and fees at the resident student level.  At the same time, active duty military personnel remained in the nonresident category and remained eligible for the permissive and variable waiver of the nonresident tuition differential.

Summary: Active duty military personnel stationed in Washington are included in the definition of Aresident student@ and pay tuition and fees at the resident student tuition rate.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 24, 2000.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of the session in which this bill passed except

Section 2 of this act which takes effect June 30, 2002.

Prepared for the House Higher Education Committee         

by Erika Prager, Research Analyst (786-7120)

Office of Program Research

February 4, 2000