COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Rep. Don Carlson, Republican Co-Chair; and

 Rep. Phyllis Kenney, Democratic Co-Chair

BILL ANALYSIS

SB 6010

Brief Description: Creating operating fees waivers not supported by state general fund appropriations.

Background:   Washington institutions of higher education are authorized to waive all or a portion of tuition, up to a limit specified in statute.  RCW 28B.15.910 lists the maximum percentage of total tuition revenue that each public four-year institution and the community college system may waive.  Tuition waived up to these limits is reimbursed to the institutions from the state general fund.  The maximum percentages of tuition that may be waived are as follows: University of Washington, 21 percent; Washington State University, 20 percent; Eastern Washington University, 11 percent; Western Washington University, 10 percent; Central Washington University, 8 percent; The Evergreen State College, 6 percent; and the community colleges as a whole, 35 percent.

The recipients of these waivers are listed in statute, and include, but are not limited to selected veterans and military employees, graduate service appointments, and residents of states with reciprocity agreements in Washington.

In the 1999-2001 budget, the Legislature granted authority to the institutions of higher education, to waive all or a portion of tuition for any student.  Institutions choosing to grant additional waivers are not reimbursed by the state general fund. This authority will end on June 30, 2001 unless it is established into law or included in the 2001-2003 budget.

Summary of the bill:  Institutions of higher education may offer additional tuition waivers to any student.  This authority is in addition to the waiver authority established under RCW 28B.15.910. However, no state general fund is provided to replace tuition revenue forgone as a result of waivers granted under this bill.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Prepared for the House Higher Education Committee

by Erika Prager, Research Analyst (786-7120)

Office of Program Research

February 16, 2000