2303-S

AN ACT Relating to a tuition variance pilot program; amending RCW 28B.15.067 and 28B.15.066; and adding a new section to chapter 28B.15 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28B.15 RCW to read as follows:

The state universities, regional universities, and state college, in cooperation with the higher education coordinating board, may engage in a tuition variance pilot project, subject to the following conditions:

(1) During the 1996-97 academic year, if the conditions of subsection (3) of this section are met, each state university, regional university, and state college may increase or decrease the tuition fees rates mandated in RCW 28B.15.067 up to fifteen percent for students enrolled in one degree program.

(2) During the 1997-98 academic year, if the conditions of subsection (3) of this section are met, each state university, regional university, and state college may increase or decrease any statutorily mandated tuition fees rates by up to fifteen percent for students enrolled in one degree program.

(3) Any institution exercising the authority granted in subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall meet the following conditions:

(a) Acquire the approval of the higher education coordinating board on its plan to charge the differential tuition fees rate before students are charged that rate;

(b) Consult with students in the selected degree program about the proposed variance. The consultation shall include a discussion of options for expending any revenue raised through the exercise of this authority;

(d) By October 1997, report to the higher education coordinating board on the results of the tuition variance pilot project.

By January 5, 1998, the higher education coordinating board shall report on the results of the pilot project to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature. The report shall include a recommendation on whether to eliminate, continue, or expand the tuition variance authority.

Sec. 2. RCW 28B.15.067 and 1995 1st sp.s. c 9 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Tuition fees shall be established under the provisions of this chapter.

(2) Academic year tuition for full-time students at the state's institutions of higher education for the 1995-96 academic year, other than the summer term, shall be as provided in this subsection.

(a) At the University of Washington and Washington State University:

(i) For resident undergraduate students and other resident students not in graduate study programs or enrolled in programs leading to the degrees of doctor of medicine, doctor of dental surgery, and doctor of veterinary medicine, two thousand seven hundred sixty-four dollars;

(ii) For nonresident undergraduate students and other nonresident students not in graduate study programs or enrolled in programs leading to the degrees of doctor of medicine, doctor of dental surgery, and doctor of veterinary medicine, eight thousand two hundred sixty-eight dollars;

(iii) For resident graduate and law students not enrolled in programs leading to the degrees of doctor of medicine, doctor of dental surgery, and doctor of veterinary medicine, four thousand four hundred ninety dollars;

(iv) For nonresident graduate and law students not enrolled in programs leading to the degrees of doctor of medicine, doctor of dental surgery, and doctor of veterinary medicine, eleven thousand six hundred thirty-four dollars;

(v) For resident students enrolled in programs leading to the degrees of doctor of medicine, doctor of dental surgery, and doctor of veterinary medicine, seven thousand four hundred ninety-seven dollars; and

(vi) For nonresident students enrolled in programs leading to the degrees of doctor of medicine, doctor of dental surgery, and doctor of veterinary medicine, nineteen thousand four hundred thirty-one dollars.

(b) At the regional universities and The Evergreen State College:

(i) For resident undergraduate and all other resident students not in graduate study programs, two thousand forty-five dollars;

(ii) For nonresident undergraduate and all other nonresident students not in graduate study programs, seven thousand nine hundred ninety-two dollars;

(iii) For resident graduate students, three thousand four hundred forty-three dollars; and

(iv) For nonresident graduate students, eleven thousand seventy-one dollars.

(i) For resident students, one thousand two hundred twelve dollars; and

(ii) For nonresident students, five thousand one hundred sixty-two dollars and fifty cents.

(3) Except as provided in section 1 of this act, academic year tuition for full-time students at the state's institutions of higher education beginning with the 1996-97 academic year, other than the summer term, shall be as provided in this subsection.

(a) At the University of Washington and Washington State University:

(v) For resident students enrolled in programs leading to the degrees of doctor of medicine, doctor of dental surgery, and doctor of veterinary medicine, seven thousand seven hundred ninety-seven dollars; and

(vi) For nonresident students enrolled in programs leading to the degrees of doctor of medicine, doctor of dental surgery, and doctor of veterinary medicine, twenty thousand two hundred nine dollars.

(b) At the regional universities and The Evergreen State College:

(i) For resident undergraduate and all other resident students not in graduate study programs, two thousand one hundred twenty-seven dollars;

(ii) For nonresident undergraduate and all other nonresident students not in graduate study programs, eight thousand three hundred twelve dollars;

(iii) For resident graduate students, three thousand five hundred eighty-one dollars; and

(iv) For nonresident graduate students, eleven thousand five hundred fourteen dollars.

(i) For resident students, one thousand two hundred sixty-one dollars; and

(ii) For nonresident students, five thousand three hundred sixty-nine dollars and fifty cents.

(4) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to high school students enrolling in community colleges under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.395.

Sec. 3. RCW 28B.15.066 and 1995 1st sp.s. c 9 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

It is the intent of the legislature that:

In making appropriations from the state's general fund to institutions of higher education, each appropriation shall conform to the following:

(1) The appropriation shall not be reduced by the amount of operating fees revenue estimated to be collected from students enrolled at the state-funded enrollment level specified in the omnibus biennial operating appropriations act;

(2) The appropriation shall not be reduced by the amount of operating fees revenue collected from students enrolled above the state-funded level, but within the over-enrollment limitations, specified in the omnibus biennial operating appropriations act; ((~~and~~))

(3) The general fund state appropriation shall not be reduced by the amount of operating fees revenue collected as a result of waiving less operating fees revenue than the amounts authorized under RCW 28B.15.910; and

(4) The general fund state appropriation shall not be reduced by the amount of operating fees revenue collected or foregone as a result of exercising the authority granted in section 1 of this act.