1736-S2.E AMS BRAU S5480.1
E2SHB 1736 - S AMD TO S AMD (S-5455.4/22) 1503
By Senator Braun
NOT ADOPTED 03/10/2022
Beginning on page 1, line 27, after "(4)" strike all material through "RCW." on page 9, line 5 and insert "The legislature recognizes that the best way to make college more affordable and open up opportunities for all students is to lower tuition. Therefore, the legislature intends to support students pursuing higher education by reducing tuition at the public baccalaureate institutions by 25 percent in the 2022-23 academic year and backfilling all revenue lost by the institutions with state appropriations.
Sec. 2. RCW 28B.15.066 and 2015 3rd sp.s. c 36 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Beginning with the ((2015-2017))2022 supplemental omnibus appropriations act, the legislature shall appropriate to ((the state board for community and technical colleges and to)) each of the four-year institutions of higher education an amount that is at least equal to the total state funds appropriated in ((the 2013-2015))chapter 334, Laws of 2021 for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium and the net revenue loss from resident undergraduate tuition operating fees based on ((budgeted))state-funded full-time equivalent enrollment received for the ((2015-2017 fiscal biennium))2021-22 academic year under RCW 28B.15.067 (((3) and (6)))(2). The net revenue loss shall be adjusted for inflation in subsequent biennia.
(2) As used in this section and RCW 28B.15.069, "inflation" shall be based on the consumer price index, using the official current base, compiled by the bureau of labor statistics, United States department of labor for the state of Washington. If the bureau of labor statistics develops more than one consumer price index for areas within the state, the index covering the greatest number of people and covering areas exclusively within the boundaries of the state shall be used.
Sec. 3. RCW 28B.15.067 and 2021 c 200 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Tuition fees shall be established under the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Tuition operating fees for resident undergraduates at institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, excluding applied baccalaureate degrees as defined in RCW 28B.50.030, may increase by no more than the average annual percentage growth rate in the median hourly wage for Washington for the previous fourteen years as the wage is determined by the federal bureau of labor statistics.
(3) The governing boards of the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College; and the state board for community and technical colleges may reduce or increase full-time tuition fees for all students other than resident undergraduates, including nonresident students, summer school students, and students in other self-supporting degree programs. Percentage increases in full-time tuition may exceed the fiscal growth factor. Except during the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium, the state board for community and technical colleges may pilot or institute differential tuition models. The board may define scale, scope, and rationale for the models.
(4) In the 2022-23 academic year, full-time tuition operating fees for resident undergraduates for state universities, regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and applied baccalaureate degrees as defined in RCW 28B.50.030 shall be 12.5 percent less than the 2021-22 academic year tuition operating fees.
(5) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to high school students enrolling in participating institutions of higher education under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.400.
(((5)))(6)(a) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to eligible students enrolling in a dropout reengagement program through an interlocal agreement between a school district and a community or technical college under RCW 28A.175.100 through 28A.175.110.
(b) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to students incarcerated with the department of corrections who are participating in credit-eligible postsecondary education courses and degree programs when the program expenses are funded by nontuition resources such as, but not limited to, grants, contracts, and donations.
(((6)))(7) As a result of any changes in tuition under section 3, chapter 36, Laws of 2015 3rd sp. sess., the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College shall not reduce resident undergraduate enrollment below the 2014-15 academic year levels.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4. The sum of $111,000,000 from the general fund—state for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, and $39,000,000 from the workforce education investment account, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated to the office of financial management solely for allocations to institutions of higher education to backfill lost tuition operating fees from the effects of sections 2 and 3 of this act.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5. Section 737, chapter . . ., Laws of 2022 (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5693) (uncodified) is repealed.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6. Section 5 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately."
On page 9, beginning on line 6, after "1," strike all material through "section" on line 8 and insert "line 1 of the title, after "to" strike the remainder of the title and insert "higher education affordability; amending RCW 28B.15.066 and 28B.15.067; creating a new section; repealing 2022 c ... s 737 (uncodified); making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.""
EFFECT: Removes the Washington student loan program and funding appropriated for the program's account in the omnibus operating budget. Repurposes funding to reduce full-time tuition operating fees by 12.5 percent less than the 2021-22 academic years for resident undergraduates for state universities, regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and applied baccalaureate degrees.
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