Bill to let schools set some tuition rates passes Senate

MELANTHIA MITCHELL, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Friday, March 8, 2002

OLYMPIA -- Nonresident students at state schools in Washington could see an unlimited boost in their tuition for the next six years, while in-state students would have some protection from rising costs if a bill passed by the Senate becomes law.

The Senate on Thursday also passed bills that would permit businesses to do minor development projects on shorelines without a permit, give faculty members at four-year institutions collective bargaining rights and let intravenous drug users buy needles from pharmacies.

The tuition bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, would authorize state college trustees to set tuition for graduate students and out-of-state students beginning in the 2002-03 academic year. The Legislature would retain tuition-setting authority for resident undergraduates at all state schools.

An amendment by Sen. Don Carlson, R-Vancouver, also would limit tuition increases for resident graduate and professional students to 10 percent a year.

Senate lawmakers trying to fill a $1.6 billion budget cavity proposed capping tuition increases at state four-year institutions at 14 percent for resident undergraduates. Increases at four-year colleges would be no more than 10 percent, while community and technical colleges would be limited to 7 percent.

A 14 percent annual increase at the University of Washington would raise tuition and fees from $3,594 a year to $4,098.

The bill passed 32-17 and now moves to the House.

The Senate also passed:

- House Bill 2623, by Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, allowing businesses to do minor development projects on shorelines without getting permits. The 1971 Shoreline Management Act restricts development on the state's shorelines through a permit system. Businesses must get permits for any shoreline development project costing more than $2,500. The bill changes the threshold to $5,000 and orders the budget office to adjust the amount for inflation every five years. The bill passed 43-3.

- House Bill 1759, by Rep. Jeannie Darneille, D-Tacoma, allowing intravenous drug users to buy hypodermic needles at pharmacies throughout Washington.

- House Bill 1460, by Rep. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, allowing police to stop motorists for failing to wear a seat belt, which is currently a secondary offense.

On the Web:

Washington State Legislature Bill Information

- Senate Ways & Means: 2002 Supplemental Budget Proposals

- Senate Ways & Means Fiscal Updates 2002

- Washington State Legislature

- Washington State Treasurer

- Gov. Gary Locke

Sound Off at TheOlympian.com: How do we weather Washington state's budget crisis?

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to State Workers index