SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5199

                As Passed Senate, March 6, 1997

Title:  An act relating to authorizing the higher education coordinating board to conduct pilot programs in alternative tuition setting for distance education, packaging tuition and fees, and enrollment agreements with other states.

Brief Description:  Requiring the higher education coordinating board to develop models for the delivery of technology‑based programs.

Sponsors:  Senators Wood, Kohl, Winsley, Bauer, Hale, Sheldon, Horn and Oke; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/10/97, 2/13/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/6/97, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Wood, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Bauer, Kohl, Patterson, Prince and Sheldon.

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  It has been projected that the state of Washington will need to provide postsecondary enrollment opportunities to an additional 84,000 students by the year 2010.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) recognizes that in order to meet this rising demand, new methods of providing access must be considered.

Summary of Bill:  The HECB must develop up to three tuition and state support models for the delivery of technology based programs.  The models must consider programs offered by single institutions or by consortiums of higher education institutions.  The HECB must make recommendations regarding state participation in the Western Governors= Virtual University.

The board must develop up to three incentive models to encourage students to use enrollment agreements with other states.  These models do not affect current reciprocity agreements.

The board must develop one model for packaging tuition, fees and living expenses to cover a four-year period.

No later than December 30, 1997, the board reports to the Legislature on the models developed and provides recommendations on the use of the models which are not to be implemented until authorized by the Legislature.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 21, 1997

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The board has determined that new methods of providing access must be considered.  Technology-based instruction raises a number of questions, including who pays the tuition, to whom and with what state support?  Predictability of costs to students and families might be provided through four-year packaging of tuition, fees, and living costs.  Washington has been approached by other states with access for additional students to develop new reciprocal agreements.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Susan Patrick, HECB.