FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5134

C 159 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Changing border county higher education opportunities.

Sponsors: Senators Carlson, Zarelli, Kohl-Welles, Schmidt, Horn and Shin.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

House Committee on Higher Education

Background: In 1999 the Legislature created the Border County Higher Education Opportunities Pilot Project administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB). Under the pilot project, people who have resided in certain Oregon counties for at least 90 days are eligible to pay resident tuition rates when enrolled at participating Washington institutions.

In December 2001 the HECB reported positive outcomes for the project and recommended the pilot project be made permanent.

During the 2002 session, the project was continued as a pilot. Several Oregon counties were added, and Columbia Basin and Walla Walla Community Colleges, and the Tri-Cities branch of Washington State University were added to the list of participating institutions. The residency requirement for eligible students was increased to one year.

Summary: The Border County Higher Education Opportunities Project is made permanent. The residency requirement for eligible Oregon students is returned to a 90-day period.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       48  0

House       88  1

Effective: July 27, 2003