SB 5466

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5466

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 Reported By Senate Committee On:
Higher Education, January 31, 2007

Title: An act relating to increasing the operating fee waiver authority for Central Washington University.

Brief Description: Increasing the operating fee waiver authority for Central Washington University.

Sponsors: Senators Shin, Delvin, Kilmer, Holmquist, Keiser, Parlette, Kohl-Welles, Clements and McAuliffe.

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Shin, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair; Delvin, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey and Schoesler.

Background: There are many types of fees paid by students enrolling in Washington public institutions of higher education. "Tuition fees" include both building fees and operating fees. Building fees are used to pay for buildings, equipment, and maintenance. The remainder of the tuition fees are operating fees.

There are many full and partial tuition fee waiver provisions. The total amount of operating fees revenue that each institution can waive, exempt, or reduce at state expense, however, is limited by statute.

Summary of Bill: The total percentage of operating fees revenue that can be waived by Central Washington University is raised from 8 percent to 11 percent.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2007.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Higher Education): PRO: All of the other four-year universities are allowed to waive a greater amount of operating fees and this is inequitable. It is also a question of access. This region of the state has a low participation rate in higher education. This small change will enhance opportunities for participation by students in the region.

Persons Testifying (Higher Education): PRO: Senator Shin, prime sponsor; Steve DuPont, Associated Students of Central Washington University; Anthony Aronica, student trustee at Central Washington University; Jim Huckabay, professor at Central Washington University.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): PRO: If Central Washington University could waiver more tuition, it could encourage more of the many Hispanic students who live in central Washington to enroll in college. Central would have received many more millions of dollars in support from the state over the past 13 years if it had been able to waive as much tuition as some of the other universities. This legislation has passed the Senate twice before.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Senator Shin, prime sponsor; Mike Bogatay, Associated Students of Central Washington University; Ann Anderson, Central Washington University.