O make permanent the practices of setting tuition prices for higher education. This act permanently allows governing boards of colleges and universities to raise and lower prices. The bill also removes requirements for when the rates shall be set for the 2009-10 academic year. (See also Companion HB 1235).   Official Text and Analysis.

Extends the governing boards' limited fee-setting authority through the 2014-15 academic year. Beginning in the 2015-16 academic year, tuition fees for full-time students at the state's colleges and universities will be the same as tuition charged in the 2014-15 academic year unless different rates are adopted by the Legislature.

To allow resident undergraduate tuition increases to be provided in the omnibus operating budget through academic year 2010-11 instead of 2014-15. The bill also allows the institutions of higher education to set tuition for all other classifications of students through academic year 2010-11 instead of 2014-15. Each academic year, governing boards of the four-year institutions and the two year colleges shall consult with existing student associations or organizations prior to setting tuition. In addition, the colleges and governing boards of institutions shall provide data regarding student financial aid.

To lengthen the institutions' authority to set tuition for all students except resident undergraduates through academic year 2012-13.

To direct the University of Washington to sell University Tract property for purposes of tuition support.

To add resident graduate and professional students to the group of students for which the legislature sets tuition in the operating budget. Caps resident graduate and professional tuition increases at no greater than 7 percent per year.

To require the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct a systemic performance audit of the public baccalaureate institutions.

To clarify that if the legislature enacts and the governing boards of institutions of higher education adopt surcharges in replacement or in addition to annual tuition increases, the surcharge shall be considered as tuition for the purposes of the Guaranteed Education Program (GET).

To require all public institutions of higher education to fully expend all available resources down to minimum prudent reserve levels before increasing resident undergraduate and graduate tuition. Available resources include, but are not limited to, general fund state, education legacy trust, revenue from intercollegiate athletics, and endowment funds, to the extent permitted by the terms and conditions of each endowment fund.

To provide that tuition charged in 2011-12 will not exceed the maximum tuition that could have been charged in 2011-12 if the 7% annual tuition increase cap had remained in place for academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11.

To clarify that any tuition increase above 7 percent shall be used by four-year colleges and universities and two-year colleges to fund the cost of instruction, library and student services, utilities and maintenance of buildings, other costs related to instruction as well as institutional financial aid. Budgetary reductions through 2010-11 to instruction related costs shall be proportionally less than reductions associated with other program areas including administration.

To set a 15% cap on annual tuition increases for resident law, medical, dental, pharmacy, and business graduate and professional students through academic year 2010-11 and sets a 7% cap on annual tuition increases for all other resident graduate students. Authorizes the institutions to set tuition for all other classifications of students through academic year 2010-11.

To require the University of Washington to continue to use 10 percent of all law school tuition increases through 2010-11 to assist needy low and middle-income resident law students. Requires that 10 percent of all graduate academic school tuition increases be used to assist needy low and middle-income resident graduate academic students.

Seante agrees with House amendments.

Extends current tuition-setting authorities through academic year 2012-13. Requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct a systemic performance audit of the public baccalaureate institutions. Requires these colleges to use any tuition increase above 7 percent to fund instruction, library and student services, utilities and maintenance of buildings, other costs related to instruction as well as financial aid. Requires these institutions to consult with student groups before raising tuition and provide data regarding the percentage of students receiving aid, the source of aid, and the percentage of the total cost of attendance paid by financial aid.