SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6374

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of January 22, 2020

Title: An act relating to apprenticeship materials for dual credit scholarship programs.

Brief Description: Concerning apprenticeship materials for dual credit scholarship programs.

Sponsors: Senators Holy, Mullet, Padden, Wilson, L. and Wilson, C.

Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 1/21/20.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows the Dual Enrollment Scholarship pilot program to cover apprenticeship materials for eligible students.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Staff: Alicia Kinne-Clawson (786-7407)

Background: Running Start. Running Start (RS) students enroll in courses or programs offered by participating higher education institutions. Students take RS courses on the campus of the higher education institution and online. Some institutions and school districts also offer RS courses in the high school. High school students do not pay tuition for RS classes, but may be charged fees. The higher education institution must provide fee waivers for low-income students, including those who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Washington Dual Enrollment Scholarship Pilot Program. The Washington Dual Enrollment Scholarship pilot program was created in 2019. To be eligible, a student must:

qualify for free or reduced-price lunch;
be enrolled in one or more dual credit programs; and
have at least a 2.0 GPA.

The award for RS students is equal to mandatory fees, prorated based on credit load, and course or lab fees, less any fee waivers already received. An RS student receives a textbook voucher, equal to $10 for every RS credit the student is enrolled for, up to a maximum of 15 credits per quarter or the equivalent per year. An eligible student enrolled in a College in High School program may receive a scholarship for tuition and fees.

Summary of Bill: The award for eligible students participating in the RS program under the Dual Enrollment Scholarship pilot program may include the cost of apprenticeship materials as determined appropriate by the college or the university. These materials may include specific course-related material costs, occupation-specific tools, work clothes, rain boots, or gear.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 20, 2020.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This allows people who want to pursue a trade beginning in high school access to the aid they need. Adding the trades to the RS scholarship program opens opportunities for more students. This is a pipeline for future trades. These materials and tools for some of these programs can be as much as $1,500 or $2,000 and that is cost prohibitive for some students. Concerns that this is slicing the small pie of scholarship dollars available even further.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Jeff Holy, Prime Sponsor; Scott Copeland, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.