BILL · 2015–16 SESSION · LATEST VERSION 2ESSB 5954
SB 5954: Reducing tuition
Reducing tuition.
Summary
Provides that for the 2015-16 academic year, the tuition operating fees for resident undergraduate students (RUGs) at all public institutions of higher education must be 5 percent less than the 2014-15 academic year tuition operating fee.
Provides that for the 2016-17 academic year, the tuition operating fees for RUGs for state universities must be 15 percent less than the 2014-15 academic year tuition operating fee, and for regional universities, the state college, and applied baccalaureate degrees must be 20 percent less than the 2014-15 academic year tuition operating fee.
Provides that beginning in the 2017-18 academic year, the tuition operating fees for RUGs may be increased by 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 federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Requires the Legislature to make higher education appropriations that are at least equal to the total state funds appropriated in the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium, plus the net revenue loss from full-time RUG operating fees received for the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium under the act, with net revenue loss adjusted for inflation in subsequent biennia.
Specifies that the Legislature does not intend to reduce the State Need Grant or College Bound Scholarship award levels for private colleges and universities below the 2014-15 academic year levels.
Provides that, for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic years, the governing body of the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program must set the payout value for units redeemed during that academic year at $117.82 per unit.
From the Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (2ESSB 5954), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗
EnactedEnacted · Chapter 36, Laws of 2015, 3rd Special Session