WA People
BILL · 2015–16 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 2820

HB 2820: Comm. & tech. college access

Establishing the Washington promise program, which provides for universal and affordable access to community and technical colleges for all Washingtonians.

Summary

  • Creates the Washington Promise Program (Promise) to provide free community or technical college (CTC) tuition and fees to eligible students enrolled in an eligible program.
  • Establishes that students eligible for the promise include those who are Washington residents, have not previously earned an associate degree; are admitted to an eligible degree or certificate program at a CTC; complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid each year of eligibility; and maintain a 2.0 grade point average after the student's first 45 credits.
  • Creates a three-step phase-in for the program based on when a person received a high school diploma, or equivalent, and family income.
  • Establishes that students become ineligible for the promise once they earn an associate degree or credential, earn 120 credits, or four calendar years pass since the student first began receiving benefits.
  • Provides a cost of attendance stipend of $1,500 for students who have a family income that does not exceed 70 percent of the state median family income.
  • Requires a report to the Legislature by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (State Board) and a program evaluation by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy.

From the House Bill Report (HB 2820), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee
  1. IntroducedJan 21, 2016
  2. Out of committeestopped here
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Gerry Pollet (D-46)
Introduced
January 21, 2016 in the House
Last action
March 10, 2016
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 2820, SHB 2820

AN ACT Relating to establishing the Washington promise program, which provides for universal and affordable access to community and technical colleges;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Gerry Pollet (D-46)

21 co-sponsors (19 Democrats, 2 Republicans)

Hans Zeiger R-25Mike Sells D-38Gael Tarleton D-36Lillian Ortiz-Self D-21Timm Ormsby D-3Senator D-22Noel Frame D-36Steve Bergquist D-11Chris Reykdal D-22June Robinson D-38Joe Fitzgibbon D-34Joan McBride D-48Chris Kilduff D-28Jeff Morris D-40Derek Stanford D-1Brady Walkinshaw D-43Jessyn Farrell D-46Zack Hudgins D-11Teri Hickel R-30Roger Goodman D-45Sharon Tomiko Santos D-37

Votes

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

History

  1. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (SHB 2820)
  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  3. Referred to Appropriations. (SHB 2820)
  4. HE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 2820)
  5. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 2820)
  6. Minority; without recommendation. (SHB 2820)
  7. Minority; without recommendation.
  8. Minority; do not pass.
  9. HE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  10. Referred to Appropriations.
  11. First reading, referred to Higher Education (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report).

HB 2820 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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