Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
HB 1988
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: Freezing resident undergraduate tuition at the four-year institutions of higher education.
Sponsors: Representatives Goodman, Pollet, Wylie, Stanford, Tharinger, Takko, Blake, Fitzgibbon, Tarleton, Orwall, Fey, Sells, Kilduff, Farrell, Jinkins and Ortiz-Self.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/18/15
Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:
Tuition-Setting Authority.
In 2011 the Legislature enacted Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1795, the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which provided the four-year institutions limited authority to set tuition rates for resident undergraduate students through the 2014-15 academic year. In the 2015-16 through 2018-19 academic years these institutions are granted tuition-setting authority within limits based on a state funding baseline year and funding for similar higher education institutions in the Global Challenge States. From 2019 on, the resident undergraduate student tuition at the four-year institutions will be set in the operating budget.
Differential Tuition.
This legislation also expanded the authority of the four-year institutions to charge differential tuition rates to students. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges was also given the authority to pilot or institute differential tuition models. In 2012, and again in 2013, the Legislature suspended the authority to charge resident undergraduate students differential tuition rates in the operating budgets. The explicit statutory authority to the four-year institutions to implement any differential tuition model expires at the end of the 2014-15 academic year.
Summary of Bill:
Beginning with the 2015-16 academic year, and subject to funds specifically appropriated to fully offset any revenue forgone by the institutions under this provision, the four-year institutions may not increase full-time tuition fees for a resident undergraduate student above the student's first year rate for the normal time it takes to complete the student's program, plus one additional term. To remain eligible for the tuition freeze, students must maintain full-time status and be continuously enrolled, with the exception of summer term. Institutions may not implement differential tuition for resident undergraduate students affected by a tuition freeze.
The provisions in the Tuition Fees statute are reorganized to separate provisions related to the Community and Technical Colleges from provisions related to the four-year institutions.
Provisions related to the Committee on Advanced Tuition Repayment's review and report on differential tuition that was due in 2013 are removed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.