HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2904

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to the border county higher education opportunity pilot project.

Brief Description:  Expanding geographic eligibility for the border county higher education opportunity pilot project.

Sponsors:  Representatives Carlson and Kenney.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Higher Education:  2/2/00, 2/3/00 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/9/00, 97-0.

Passed Senate:  3/1/00, 45-0.

Passed Legislature.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Adds Clackamas County, Oregon to the border county higher education opportunity pilot project.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives Carlson, Republican Co-Chair; Kenney, Democratic Co-Chair; Lantz, Democratic Vice Chair; Dunn; Edmonds; Esser and Gombosky.

Staff:  Tracey Taylor (786-7196).

Background:

In 1999, the border county higher education opportunity pilot project was created.  Under the pilot project, residents of Oregon who have resided in Columbia, Multnomah, Clatsop, or Washington counties for at least 90 days are eligible to pay resident tuition rates if they enroll in community college programs located in the Washington counties of Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum or Pacific.  Residents of the four Oregon counties that enroll in courses at the Vancouver branch of Washington State University for eight credits or less may do so at the resident tuition rates.  Participating Washington institutions are required to give priority program enrollment to Washington residents.

The pilot project is administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB).  By November 30, 2001, the board shall report to the Governor and the Legislature the results of the pilot project and make recommendations on the extent to which the border county tuition policies should be revised or expanded.  For each participating institution, the HECB is required to analyze, by program, the impact of the pilot program on:  enrollment levels, distribution of students by residency, and enrollment capacity.

The Portland metropolitan area is comprised of three counties:  Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas.  Currently only Multnomah and Washington county residents are eligible for the resident tuition rate.

Summary of Bill:

The border county higher education opportunity pilot project is expanded to include residents of Clackamas County, Oregon.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The pilot project has made a significant impact on the community in southwest Washington.  In order to sustain the industries in the community, the institutions of higher education must provide high-tech training.  And there are unique programs on both sides of the border, including the bilingual teachers program, that should be available to the prospective students in the community.  Because Clackamas County is in the Portland metropolitan area, it makes sense to include it in this pilot project.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Carlson, prime sponsor; Rhonda Coats, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; and Tana Hasart, Clark College.