SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6456

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.

Background: Operating fees include fees, other than building fees, charged to all students registering at the state's colleges and universities, that colleges and universities have the right to impose, laboratory, gymnasium, health, technology and student activity fees, and other income derived from any or all revenue producing lands, buildings and facilities of the colleges or universities, or such other special fees as may be established by any college or university board of trustees or regents from time to time. All monies received as operating fees at any institution of higher education will be deposited in a local account containing only operating fees revenue and related interest. Provided, that:

a minimum of 5 percent of operating fees will be retained by the four-year institutions of higher education that increase tuition for resident undergraduate students above assumed tuition increases in the omnibus appropriations act;
a minimum of 4 percent of operating fees will be retained by four-year institutions of higher education that do not increase tuition for resident undergraduates above assumed increases in the omnibus appropriations act; and
a minimum of 3.5 percent of operating fees will be retained by the community and technical colleges.

A total dollar amount of tuition and fee waivers awarded by any state university, regional university, or state college, not to exceed 1 percent, may be used for the purpose of achieving or maintaining gender equity in intercollegiate athletic programs. Additionally, the federal law Title IX requires that male and female athletes receive equivalent treatment, benefits, and opportunities at a school or institution that receives federal funds.

Summary of Bill: The governing boards of each of the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and community colleges in addition to their other duties prescribed by law will have the power and authority to establish programs for intercollegiate athletic competition; however, such programs at the University of Washington (UW) and the Washington State University (WSU) will not be funded with state appropriations or operating fees.

All monies received as operating fees at any institution of higher education will be deposited in a local account containing only operating fees revenue and related interest. Provided, that among other things, operating fees of UW and WSU will not be used to fund programs established for intercollegiate athletic competition, except that this prohibition on the use of operating fees is not applicable to tuition waivers provided to achieve gender equity in intercollegiate athletic competition.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Work was needed to make college sports teams great at WSU and there are costs associated with that. The sports conference is expanding. Previous revenue rewarded those people on television. We need to invest in infrastructure and good athletes. We have had a turnover in football coaches at WSU. Our fans are now being reinvigorated. We can use ticket sales to help pay for facilities and athletes. UW wants to continue the athletics program being self sustained. The program contributes to the university in paying for its own rent and utilities at UW. This is good policy. At the UW, all pensions are paid by athletics revenue raised at the UW.