AN
ACT Relating to border county higher education opportunities; amending RCW
28B.80.805, 28B.80.806, 28B.15.0139, and 28B.80.807; amending 2000 c 160 s 4
(uncodified); amending 1999 c 320 s 6 (uncodified); and providing an expiration
date.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec.
1. RCW
28B.80.805 and 1999 c 320 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
The legislature finds that certain tuition policies in Oregon state are more
responsive to the needs of students living in economic regions that cross the
state border than the Washington state policies. Under Oregon policy, students
who are Washington residents may enroll at Portland State University for eight
credits or less and pay the same tuition as Oregon residents. Further, the
state of Oregon passed legislation in 1997 to begin providing to its community
colleges the same level of state funding for students residing in bordering
states as students residing in Oregon.
(2)
The legislature intends to build on the recent Oregon initiatives regarding
tuition policy for students in bordering states and to facilitate regional
planning for higher education delivery by creating a pilot project on resident
tuition rates in ((four)) Washington counties that border Oregon state.
Sec.
2. RCW
28B.80.806 and 2000 c 160 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
The border county higher education opportunity pilot project is created. The
purpose of the pilot project is to allow ((four)) Washington
institutions of higher education that are located in ((four)) counties
on the Oregon border to implement((, on a trial basis,)) tuition
policies that correspond to Oregon policies. Under the border county pilot
project, Columbia Basin Community College, Clark College, Lower Columbia
Community College, Grays Harbor Community College, and ((Clark)) Walla
Walla Community College may enroll students who reside in the bordering
Oregon counties of Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Multnomah, Clatsop,
Clackamas, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and
Washington at resident tuition rates. The Tri-Cities and Vancouver ((branch))
branches of Washington State University may enroll students who reside
in the bordering Oregon counties of Columbia, Multnomah, Clatsop, Clackamas, Morrow,
Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Washington for eight credits or less at
resident tuition rates.
(2)
Washington institutions of higher education participating in the pilot project
shall give priority program enrollment to Washington residents.
Sec.
3. RCW
28B.15.0139 and 2000 c 160 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
For
the purposes of determining resident tuition rates, "resident
student" includes a resident of Oregon, residing in Columbia, Gilliam,
Hood River, Multnomah, Clatsop, Clackamas, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla,
Union, Wallowa, Wasco, or Washington county, who meets the following
conditions:
(1)
The student is eligible to pay resident tuition rates under Oregon laws and has
been domiciled in Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Multnomah, Clatsop,
Clackamas, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, or
Washington county for at least ((ninety consecutive days)) one year
immediately before enrollment at a community college located in Asotin,
Benton, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Franklin, Garfield, Klickitat,
Pacific, Skamania, Wahkiakum, or ((Pacific)) Walla Walla
county, Washington; or
(2)
The student is enrolled in courses located at the Tri-Cities or
Vancouver branch of Washington State University for eight credits or less.
Sec.
4. RCW
28B.80.807 and 1999 c 320 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
The higher education coordinating board shall administer Washington's
participation in the border county higher education opportunity pilot project.
(2)
By ((November 30, 2001)) December 1, 2003, the board shall report
to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature on the results of
the pilot project. For each participating Washington institution of higher
education, the report shall analyze, by program, the impact of the pilot
project on: Enrollment levels, distribution of students by residency, and
enrollment capacity. The report shall also include a recommendation on the
extent to which border county tuition policies should be revised or expanded.
Sec.
5. 2000
c 160 s 4 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:
This
act expires June 30, ((2002)) 2004.
Sec.
6. 1999
c 320 s 6 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:
This
act expires June 30, ((2002)) 2004.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 7. This
act expires June 30, 2004.
