SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2874

                    As of February 16, 2000

Title:  An act relating to a task force on community and technical college tuition, residency, and compensation.

Brief Description:  Creating a legislative task force on community and technical college out‑of‑state tuition and residency.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Dunn, Skinner and Carlson).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/21/2000.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  The community and technical college system plays a significant role in providing postsecondary opportunities for Washington citizens.  Citizens access the system not only for basic skills training but also for job skills training and retraining.  In addition, many students attend the community colleges to prepare for transferring to a four-year institution to earn a baccalaureate degree.  More than half of all adults in Washington have benefitted from the access to affordable education the community and technical colleges provide.  Two of the factors that influence a student=s decision to attend a community or technical college are:  (1) the tuition level and (2) the convenient location.  For a newcomer to the state, the nonresident tuition rate can be a barrier.

Summary of Bill:  A task force on community and technical nonresident tuition rates and residency requirements is established comprised of four representatives from the House Higher Education Committee and two representatives from the House Appropriations Committee.  The task force members are equally divided from the two largest caucuses and appointed by the co-speakers of the House of Representatives.  In addition, there are nonvoting representatives from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Council of Presidents.

An interim study must be conducted on out-of-state tuition and residency requirements at the public community and technical colleges.  The study includes a review of the impact of the state's rules in setting resident and nonresident tuition at the community and technical colleges on:  (1) the four-year baccalaureate and research institutions; and (2) enrollment in distance learning courses.

A task force report is due to the Legislature by December 1, 2000.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.