Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 250-61 WAC, Regulations for the Degree-Granting Institutions Act.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 28B.85 RCW, Degree-granting institutions.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The higher education coordinating board (HECB) intends to increase or establish fees for initial degree authorization, degree authorization renewal, degree authorization reapplication, new program applications, and new site applications as previously authorized by the Washington state legislature in the 2011-2013 operating budget (2ESHB 1087).

     Add definitions related to the establishment of new fees.

     Create an exemption category for nonpublic degree-granting institutions recognized as Washington institutions by the Washington state legislature.

     Add clarifying language to existing rules.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study; through individual and group meetings over a number of months, HECB staff has worked to develop the proposed rule changes.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Michael J. Ball, Associate Director, Degree Authorization, HECB, 917 Lakeridge Way S.W., P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430, phone (360) 753-7866, fax (360) 704-6203, e-mail michaelb@hecb.wa.gov.

July 27, 2011

Michael J. Ball

Associate Director

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