FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2904

                         C 160 L 00

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Expanding geographic eligibility for the border county higher education opportunity pilot project.

Sponsors:  Representatives Carlson and Kenney.

House Committee on Higher Education

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Background:

In 1999 the border county higher education opportunity pilot project was created.  Under the pilot project, residents of Oregon who have resided in Columbia, Multnomah, Clatsop, or Washington counties for at least 90 days are eligible to pay resident tuition rates if they enroll in community college programs located in the Washington counties of Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum or Pacific.  Residents of the four Oregon counties 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.  Participating Washington institutions are required to give priority program enrollment to Washington residents.

The pilot project is administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB).  By November 30, 2001, the HECB must report to the Governor and the Legislature the results of the pilot project and make recommendations on the extent to which the border county tuition policies should be revised or expanded.  For each participating institution, the HECB is required to analyze, by program, the impact of the pilot program on:  enrollment levels, distribution of students by residency, and enrollment capacity.  The pilot project terminates June 30, 2002.

The Portland metropolitan area is comprised of three counties:  Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas.  Only Multnomah and Washington county residents are eligible for the resident tuition rate.

Summary of Bill:

The border county higher education opportunity pilot project is expanded to include residents of Clackamas County, Oregon.

Votes on Final Passage:

House970

Senate450

Effective:June 8, 2000