S-1826.1
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5133
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State of Washington | 64th Legislature | 2015 Regular Session |
By Senate Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Baumgartner, Kohl-Welles, and Frockt)
READ FIRST TIME 02/18/15.
AN ACT Relating to a study of higher education cost drivers; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the intent of the legislature to order a cost driver study of the public four-year institutions of higher education, using the 2013 joint transportation cost driver study as a model. The legislature finds that students now pay over sixty percent of the cost of public four-year higher education. As families have been asked to pay more, it is essential that students, families, the taxpayers, our public institutions of higher education, and lawmakers continue to closely monitor the factors that contribute to the cost of a public four-year education in Washington. Following the passage in 2011 of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1795, institutions have been diligent in bringing forward efficiency recommendations. The legislature intends to continue this good work by gaining a clearer understanding of what drives the cost of higher education.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall conduct a study of higher education costs at the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College.
(2)(a) The study must describe the cost drivers for each institution and the cost drivers for students over the most recent twenty-year period for which data is available, including the cost of:
(i) Research;
(ii) Faculty and staff salaries;
(iii) Administration;
(iv) Health care and benefits;
(v) Capital;
(vi) Student services;
(vii) Textbooks; and
(viii) Student housing.
(b) The study must also compare these cost drivers to the cost drivers for institutions and students in the global challenge states and other comparable states, where information is available.
(c) The study shall consolidate information already available to the legislature and report where there are gaps in the information sought under this section.
(3) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall issue a report of its findings to the house of representatives and senate higher education committees by December 31, 2015.
(4) This section expires July 1, 2016.
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