SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1644

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Higher Education, March 24, 2015

Title: An act relating to veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility.

Brief Description: Concerning veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility.

Sponsors: House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Gregory, Zeiger, Pollet, Kilduff, Tharinger, Goodman, Riccelli and Jinkins).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/05/15, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 3/19/15, 3/24/15 [DP].

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Bailey, Chair; Kohl-Welles, Ranking Minority Member; Becker, Frockt, Liias and Miloscia.

Staff: Evan Klein (786-7483)

Background: Washington Military Tuition Waiver. Subject to the limitations on the total amount of operating fees that each Washington institution of higher education may waive, the institutions of higher education may waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for an eligible veteran or National Guard member. An eligible veteran or National Guard member is a Washington domiciliary who was on active or reserve duty in the United States armed forces, or a National Guard member called to active duty who served in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters and if discharged from service, was discharged honorably.

Washington institutions of higher education may also waive tuition for veterans or National Guard members who did not serve on foreign soil, in international waters, or in another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or international waters, but the institution receives no state general fund support for these waivers.

The institutions of higher education must waive all tuition and fees for the following:

• a child and spouse or domestic partner, or surviving spouse or domestic partner, of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who became totally disabled as a result of active service, or who is a prisoner of war; and

• a child and the surviving spouse or domestic partner of an eligible veteran or National Guard member who lost their life as a result of serving in active duty.

A child must be a Washington domiciliary between the age of 17 and 26 to be eligible for this tuition waiver.

Federal Periods of Eligibility. A child of a person who died in service or has a total disability related to serving in the United States armed forces is eligible for federal educational assistance if the child is between the age of 18 and 26 or successfully completed secondary schooling. The child may also be eligible for educational assistance before turning age 18 or for an extended period past the age of 26 under eight defined circumstances.

Summary of Bill: A child of a veteran or National Guard member is eligible for a full tuition waiver at a Washington State institution of higher education if one of the child's parents became totally disabled as a result of active service, was a prisoner of war, or lost their life as a result of serving in active duty, and the child:

• is a Washington domiciliary between the age of 17 and 26; or

• meets one of eight federal requirements for receiving education assistance.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill simply aligns the state with federal provisions that provide resources to students who are children or spouses of individuals who have been killed in duty or are disabled. There is a mismatch between the state veteran’s waiver and the federal benefit. This will help keep veterans from aging out of their benefit.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Gregory, prime sponsor; Paul Francis, Council of Presidents.

Persons Signed in to Testify But Not Testifying: No one.