HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1433
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. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Higher Education
Title: An act relating to decoupling services and activities fees from tuition.
Brief Description: Decoupling services and activities fees from tuition.
Sponsors: House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Stambaugh, Orwall, Haler, Tarleton, Jinkins, Pollet, Stonier, Ryu, Hargrove, Santos and Doglio).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Higher Education: 2/7/17, 2/15/17 [DPS], 1/9/18 [DP].
Appropriations: 2/23/17, 2/24/17 [DPS(HE)].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Hansen, Chair; Pollet, Vice Chair; Holy, Ranking Minority Member; Van Werven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Orwall, Sells, Stambaugh and Tarleton.
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
Services and activities (S&A fees) are used to fund student activities and programs. Governing boards at institutions of higher education may increase the S&A fee annually. The authorizing statute provides that the annual increase may not exceed the percentage increase of the annual percentage increase in student tuition fees for resident undergraduate students. The percentage increase does not apply to that portion of the S&A fees previously committed to the repayment of bonded debt. Those adjustments may exceed the fiscal growth factor.
In the 2013-15 and 2015-17 fiscal biennia, the Legislature authorized governing boards to increase the S&A fees by amounts judged reasonable and necessary by the S&A fee committee and the governing board, as opposed to having the increase tied to tuition.
Each institution has an S&A fee committee, and students have a majority of the voting membership on the committee. Student groups and campus programs submit proposals to the S&A fee committee, which reviews the proposals and recommends how S&A fees should be allocated. The S&A fee committee recommends a final budget to the institution's governing board, which is required to give priority consideration to the committee's recommendations.
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Summary of Bill:
The provision limiting the annual increase of S&A fees to the percentage increase in student tuition fees is removed for the four-year public institutions. Instead, S&A fees may be increased by amounts judged reasonable and necessary by the S&A fee committee and the governing board.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The S&A fees are used to support student-driven programs. The committees that make recommendations on increasing and distributing S&A fees are made up of students. Services and activities fees are one of the few ways students can address the issues they face by funding programs students want. When tuition is frozen or reduced, it is more difficult for students to maintain the programs that serve them. The bill will enable students to make sound financial decisions. Most S&A fee committees have been conservative in raising S&A fees.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Stambaugh, prime sponsor; Matt Munoz, University of Washington Graduate and Professional Student Senate; Matthew Morrow, Associated Students of Washington State University; and Francisco Flores, Associated Students of Eastern Washington University.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.