SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5079
As of January 9, 2023
Title: An act relating to the date by which tuition operating fees are established.
Brief Description: Concerning the date by which tuition operating fees are established.
Sponsors: Senators Braun and Liias.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 1/11/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Specifies the date by which the Office of Financial Management determines the maximum rate of tuition fee increases.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Staff: Alicia Kinne-Clawson (786-7407)
Background:

Beginning with the 2017-18 academic year, annual increases in resident undergraduate tuition for all public colleges and universities are limited under law to no more than the average annual percentage growth rate in the median hourly wage for Washington for the previous 14 years as the wage is determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The Office of Financial Management (OFM) calculates the maximum annual increase in tuition each year.
Summary of Bill:

Requires OFM to calculate, and transmit to the institutions of higher education, the maximum annual increase in tuition operating fees for resident undergraduate students by October 1st of each year for the following academic year.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 6, 2023.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.