wa-law.org > bill > 2025-26 > HB 2098 > Original Bill

HB 2098 - Adjusting higher education funding.

Source

Section 1

(1)(a) Beginning with business activities occurring on or after April 1, 2020, in addition to the taxes imposed under RCW 82.04.290 (2) and (4), a workforce education investment surcharge is imposed on select advanced computing businesses.

Section 2

In addition to other eligibility requirements outlined in this chapter, students who demonstrate financial need are eligible to receive the Washington college grant. Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, students with family incomes between zero and 100 percent of the state median family income, adjusted for family size, shall receive the maximum Washington college grant as defined in RCW 28B.92.030. Grants for students with incomes between 101 and 150 percent of the state median family income, adjusted for family size, shall be prorated at the following percentages of the maximum Washington college grant amount:

  1. 70 percent for students with family incomes between 101 and 110 percent of the state median family income;

  2. 60 percent for students with family incomes between 111 and 120 percent of the state median family income;

  3. 50 percent for students with family incomes between 121 and 130 percent of the state median family income;

  4. 24.5 percent for students with family incomes between 131 and 140 percent of the state median family income; and

  5. 10 percent for students with family incomes between 141 and 150 percent of the state median family income.

Section 3

  1. Tuition fees shall be established under the provisions of this chapter.

  2. The maximum increase in tuition operating fees for resident undergraduates at institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, excluding applied baccalaureate degrees as defined in RCW 28B.50.030, shall be calculated by the office of financial management and transmitted to the institutions of higher education by October 1st of each year for the following academic year. Tuition operating fees for resident undergraduates at institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 shall be reduced by 10 percent each academic year beginning with the 2027-28 academic year through the 2029-30 academic year. Beginning in the 2030-31 academic year, tuition operating fees for resident undergraduates at institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, excluding applied baccalaureate degrees as defined in RCW 28B.50.030, may increase by no more than the average annual percentage growth rate in the median hourly wage for Washington as the wage is determined by the federal bureau of labor statistics and calculated based on the previous 14 years prior to the transmittal date by the office of financial management.

  3. The governing boards of the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College; and the state board for community and technical colleges may reduce or increase full-time tuition fees for all students other than resident undergraduates, including nonresident students, summer school students, and students in other self-supporting degree programs. Percentage increases in full-time tuition may exceed the fiscal growth factor. Except during the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium, the state board for community and technical colleges may pilot or institute differential tuition models. The board may define scale, scope, and rationale for the models.

  4. The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to high school students enrolling in participating institutions of higher education under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.400.

  5. [Empty]

    1. The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to eligible students enrolling in a dropout reengagement program through an interlocal agreement between a school district and a community or technical college under RCW 28A.175.100 through 28A.175.110.

    2. The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to students incarcerated with the department of corrections who are participating in credit-eligible postsecondary education courses and degree programs when the program expenses are funded by nontuition resources such as, but not limited to, grants, contracts, and donations.

  6. As a result of any changes in tuition under section 3, chapter 36, Laws of 2015 3rd sp. sess., the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College shall not reduce resident undergraduate enrollment below the 2014-15 academic year levels.

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