COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

 Rep. Phyllis Kenney, Democratic Co-Chair and

Rep. Don Carlson, Republican Co-Chair

BILL ANALYSIS

HB 1016

Brief Description: Creating the border county higher education opportunity pilot project.

Background:  With some exceptions, students who move to Washington or commute from a border state in order to attend a public college or university, are charged a much higher tuition rate than Washington residents.

The definitions for resident and nonresident students are determined by law.  Resident students who are dependents must be able to prove that their parents or guardians have been domiciled in the state for at least one year before the students enroll in college.  Independent students must meet the same test themselves. 

The state of Oregon has recently made tuition policy changes that affect students living in the border counties of Washington.  Nonresident students may enroll at Portland State University for eight credits or less and pay the same tuition as Oregon residents.  Community Colleges in Oregon set their own tuition rates.  There are three community colleges in the two bordering Oregon counties of Multnomah and Columbia: Portland Community College in Portland; Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham; and Clatsop Community College in Astoria.  Portland Community College and Clatsop Community College charge both residents and nonresidents the same tuition.  Mt. Hood Community College charges an additional ten dollars per credit for nonresidents. 

The three Washington counties that border the two Oregon counties of Multnomah and Columbia are Clark, Cowlitz, and Pacific counties.  There are three Washington community colleges that offer programs in these three counties: Clark College in Vancouver; Lower Columbia College in Longview; and Grays Harbor College extension programs in Pacific county. 

Summary: The border county higher education opportunity pilot project is created.  Under the pilot project, residents of Oregon, who have resided in Columbia or Multnomah county for at least ninety days, are eligible to pay resident tuition rates if they enroll in community college programs located in the three Washington counties that border the two Oregon counties.  Residents of Oregon that enroll in courses at the Vancouver branch of Washington State University for eight credits or less may do so at the resident tuition rates.

The pilot project is administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  By November 30, 2001, the board shall report to the governor and the legislature on the results of the pilot project and make recommendations on the extent to which border county tuition policies should be revised or expanded.

Prepared for the House Higher Education Committee

by Sherie Story, Research Analyst (786-7120)

Office of Program Research

January 19, 1999