COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Representative Don Carlson, Chair

BILL ANALYSIS

PSHB 1966

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:  Raising the total amount of waivers allowed for Central Washington University.

BACKGROUND:  Through approximately 35 different programs, the baccalaureate institutions and community colleges may waive some or all of a student=s tuition and fees.  There is a statutory limit on the amount of operating fee revenue that each baccalaureate institution and the community colleges as a whole may forego.  The waiver cap ranges from a high of 35 percent for community colleges to a low of 6 percent for The Evergreen State College.  The revenue limit for other state universities is: 21 percent for the University of Washington; 20 percent for Washington State University; 11 percent for Eastern Washington University; 10 percent for Western Washington University; and 8 percent for Central Washington University.  These limits may be revised through statute or through the biennial budget act.  There is statutory intent language that suggests that the Legislature will not reduce state support for institutions that do not waive the entire amount of revenue permitted under the cap.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:  The maximum amount of estimated operating fee revenue Central Washington University may waive is increased from 8 percent to 10 percent.  It is the intent of the Legislature that general tax support for the university will not increase as a result of the revised revenue limit.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUBSTITUTE AND ORIGINAL BILL:  Language was added clarifying legislative intent that general tax support for Central Washington University not be increased as a result of revising the university=s maximum waiver limit.