HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1343
As Reported by House Committee On:
Postsecondary Education & Workforce
Title: An act relating to limiting the scope of cause for loss of aid.
Brief Description: Limiting the scope of cause for loss of aid.
Sponsors: Representatives Pollet, Leavitt, Farivar, Salahuddin, Reed and Nance.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Postsecondary Education & Workforce: 1/29/25, 2/4/25 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Repeals the statute that renders a student ineligible for aid if they organize or participate, or both, in any demonstration, riot, or other activity that interferes with or disrupts the normal educational process at an institution of higher education.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION & WORKFORCE
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 11 members:Representatives Paul, Chair; Nance, Vice Chair; Ybarra, Ranking Minority Member; McEntire, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Entenman, Leavitt, Pollet, Reed, Salahuddin, Thomas and Timmons.
Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by 3 members:Representatives Graham, Ley and Schmidt.
Minority Report: Without recommendation.Signed by 2 members:Representatives Keaton and Mendoza.
Staff: Saranda Ross (786-7068).
Background:

If a student at an institution of higher education organizes or participates, or both, in any demonstration, riot or other activity that interferes with or disrupts the normal educational process at such institution, then the student is ineligible for aid. 

 

Each institution has its own student code of conduct.  Each code varies in what is considered prohibited conduct and the resulting proceedings, including appeals and sanctions. 
Summary of Substitute Bill:

The statute that renders a student ineligible for aid if they organize or participate, or both, in any demonstration, riot, or other activity that interferes with or disrupts the normal educational process at an institution of higher education is repealed.?
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The modifications to the type of student conduct and the burden of proof of such conduct that renders a student ineligible for aid are eliminated.? Instead, the statute that renders a student ineligible for aid if they organize or participate, or both, in any demonstration, riot, or other activity that interferes with or disrupts the normal educational process at an institution of higher education is repealed. ?
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Current statute renders a student ineligible for aid for simply participating in a demonstration that disrupts the educational process at an institution. ?This is an affront to the civil and constitutional rights of students, and unfairly targets low-income students.? An amendment has been recommended to strike the underlying statute instead of amending it.? Such an amendment will ensure students do not face financial discrimination when there are already institutional codes of conduct that punish students for discriminatory or criminal behavior.

?

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Gerry Pollet, prime sponsor; Remy Haring; Collin Bannister, The Washington Student Association; and Sienna Jarrard, Associated Students of the University of Washington Bothell.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.