| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Higher Education Committee | |
2SSB 5806
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Regarding tuition limits and billing disclosures.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Schoesler, Shin, Berkey, Delvin, Murray and Kohl-Welles).
Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 3/28/07
Staff: Jennifer Thornton (786-7111).
Background:
Legislation enacted in 2005 created a comprehensive education and finance study covering early
learning, K-12, and higher education. This effort, known as Washington Learns, was comprised
of a steering committee chaired by the Governor and advisory committees for each education
sector. The steering and advisory committees were directed to conduct a comprehensive study of
early learning, K-12, and higher education; to develop recommendations on how the state can
best provide stable funding for early learning, public schools, and public colleges and
universities; and to develop recommendations on specified policy issues. The Washington
Learns final report, a culmination of the 18-month study, was completed in November 2006.
Summary of Bill:
Tuition increases for resident students are capped at 7 percent per year between the 2007-08
academic year and the 2016-17 academic year. A state goal is adopted that total per-student
funding levels (from state appropriations plus tuition and fees) are at least the 60 percentile of
total per-student funding at similar institutions in the Global Challenge States. In defining
comparable per-student funding levels, the Office of Financial Management (OFM) shall adjust
for regional cost of living differences, for differences in program offerings and the relative mix of
lower division, upper division, and graduate students, and for accounting and reporting
differences among the comparison institutions.
Without reducing enrollment levels below Fiscal Year 2007 budgeted levels, the OFM will
establish a funding trajectory to reach this goal for each four-year institution and the community
and technical college system by Fiscal Year 2017.
The OFM will report to the Governor, the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the
Legislature on an annual basis, beginning September 2008, with updated estimates of total per-student funding that represents the 60th percentile funding goal and progress that has been made
towards that goal for each institution.
The Global Challenge States are defined as the top performing states in the new economy index
published by the progressive policy institute. At least once every five years, the OFM must
determine whether there should be changes to the list of states.
On billing statements to students, each institution must report the full cost of instruction, the
amount collected from student tuition and fees, and the difference between the amounts for the
full cost of instruction and student tuition and fees.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.