Bill

SB 18

85(R) - 2017
Senate Higher Education
Senate Higher Education

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Positive
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Kel Seliger

Co-Author(s)

Paul Bettencourt
Jane Nelson
Robert Nichols

Bill Caption

Relating to eliminating provisions requiring public institutions of higher education to set aside portions of designated tuition for student financial assistance.

Fiscal Notes

There are no fiscal implications to the state anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Under current law, the legislature mandates that universities set aside no less than 15 percent of each student's tuition, in excess of 46 dollars per credit hour, and allocate that money toward programs that offer needs-based financial assistance. This bill, if enacted, would repeal this requirement.

Vote Recommendation Notes

In 2003, the legislature, along with establishing tuition deregulation, established tuition set asides to counter-act rising impending costs in tuition. Since that point, this program has been a contentious issue, with some calling it an effective tax on students. Measures like these that attempt to lower tuition by contrivance have a way of backfiring. With tuition at select universities skyrocketing, it's time for better, more responsible solutions to lowering tuition. We believe this bill will serve to restrict the unchecked power and spending of these state funded schools and for these reasons, we support this bill.