BILL REQ. #:  H-4618.1 

Read first time 01/22/08.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to a higher education tuition incentive program; adding a new section to chapter 28B.15 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.15 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) An economic development and diversification tuition incentive program is created. The higher education coordinating board shall maintain a list of employers who are certified under section 2 of this act to participate in the program.
     (2) A nonresident student shall pay resident tuition rates beginning with the first quarter or semester after moving to Washington if:
     (a) The student, student's spouse, or student's parent is employed by an employer certified by the department of community, trade, and economic development under section 2 of this act;
     (b) The student, student's spouse, or student's parent relocated to Washington at the request of that certified employer; and
     (c) The student signs a letter of intent to establish domicile in Washington.
     (3) A nonresident student who moves to Washington to attend an institution of higher education before the time that the student's spouse or student's parent is employed by a qualified employer shall pay resident tuition beginning with the first semester or quarter after the spouse or parent moves to Washington if the nonresident student otherwise qualifies under subsection (2) of this section.
     (4) Evidence that the nonresident student has participated in the program may be used as evidence of domicile under RCW 28B.15.013.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Employers who wish to participate in the economic development and diversification tuition incentive program in section 1 of this act shall apply to the department of community, trade, and economic development to be certified. Employers who currently operate in Washington and must bring new employees from out-of-state and employers who are relocating or expanding operations in Washington may be eligible for the program. The department shall certify employers that qualify for the program based on the following criteria:
     (a) Whether the business will have or has a high economic impact in the region of the state where it is located;
     (b) Whether it is a targeted industry of the state or is an ancillary or support industry for a targeted industry; and
     (c) Whether the business will promote highly skilled, high-wage jobs.
     (2) In determining whether to certify an employer under this section, the department shall also consider the number of anticipated employees in the program and the anticipated capital investment in the business.
     (3) The department shall transmit the names of certified employers to the higher education coordinating board quarterly.
     (4) The department shall decertify an employer if it finds that the employer no longer meets the criteria in subsection (1) of this section.
     (5) The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.