28B.15.031 - "Operating fees" -- Defined -- Disposition. - Washington Statutes

"Operating fees" — Defined — Disposition.

The term "operating fees" as used in this chapter shall include the fees, other than building fees, charged all students registering at the state's colleges and universities but shall not include fees for short courses, self-supporting degree credit programs and courses, marine station work, experimental station work, correspondence or extension courses, and individual instruction and student deposits or rentals, disciplinary and library fines, which colleges and universities shall have the right to impose, laboratory, gymnasium, health, technology and student activity fees, or fees, charges, rentals, and other income derived from any or all revenue producing lands, buildings and facilities of the colleges or universities heretofore or hereafter acquired, constructed or installed, including but not limited to income from rooms, dormitories, dining rooms, hospitals, infirmaries, housing or student activity buildings, vehicular parking facilities, land, or the appurtenances thereon, or such other special fees as may be established by any college or university board of trustees or regents from time to time. All moneys received as operating fees at any institution of higher education shall be deposited in a local account containing only operating fees revenue and related interest: PROVIDED, That a minimum of three and one-half percent of operating fees shall be retained by the institutions for the purposes of RCW 28B.15.820. Local operating fee accounts shall not be subject to appropriation by the legislature or allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW.

[2003 c 232 § 2; 1996 c 142 § 2; 1995 1st sp.s. c 9 § 2. Prior: 1993 sp.s. c 18 § 6; 1993 c 379 § 201; 1987 c 15 § 2; prior: 1985 c 390 § 13; 1985 c 356 § 2; 1982 1st ex.s. c 37 § 12; 1981 c 257 § 1; 1979 c 151 § 14; 1977 ex.s. c 331 § 3; 1971 ex.s. c 279 § 2.]

Notes: Finding -- Intent -- 2003 c 232: "The legislature finds that, as a partner in financing public higher education with students and parents who pay tuition and fees, periodic increases in state funding, state financial aid, and tuition must be authorized to provide high quality higher education for the citizens of Washington. It is the intent of the legislature to address higher education through a cooperative bipartisan effort that includes the legislative and executive branches of government, parents, students, educators, as well as business, labor, and community leaders. The legislature recognizes the importance of keeping the public commitment to public higher education and will continue searching for policies that halt the trend for the growth in tuition revenue to outpace the revenue provided by the state. The legislature believes that a well-educated citizenry is essential to both the private and the public good. The economic and civic health of the state require both an educated citizenry and a well-trained workforce. The six-year time limitation authorizing the governing boards to establish tuition rates for all students other than undergraduate resident students will give the legislature, the governor, and the higher education institutions an opportunity to determine whether this policy achieves the goal of maintaining quality and access for all who are eligible for and can benefit from a higher education. Using data from six years of this tuition policy, the state will be able to identify options for long-term funding of higher education including not only tuition but general fund and financial aid sources." [2003 c 232 § 1.]

Severability -- 1996 c 142: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1996 c 142 § 4.]

Effective date -- 1996 c 142: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [March 25, 1996]." [1996 c 142 § 5.]

Intent -- Purpose -- 1995 1st sp.s. c 9: "It is the intent of the legislature to address higher education funding through a cooperative bipartisan effort that includes the legislative and executive branches of government, parents, students, educators, and concerned citizens. This effort will begin in 1995, with the results providing the basis for discussion during the 1996 legislative session for future decisions and final legislative action in 1997.

     The purpose of this act is to provide tuition increases for public institutions of higher education as a transition measure until final action is taken in 1997." [1995 1st sp.s. c 9 § 1.]

Effective date -- 1995 1st sp.s. c 9: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [June 14, 1995]." [1995 1st sp.s. c 9 § 14.]

Appropriation -- 1993 sp.s. c 18: "All moneys in the accounts established under *RCW 28B.15.824 on July 1, 1993, are hereby appropriated to the respective institutions of higher education for deposit in the institution's local account established under RCW 28B.15.031." [1993 sp.s. c 18 § 15.]

*Reviser's note: RCW 28B.15.824 was repealed by 1993 c 379 § 206 and by 1993 sp.s. c 18 § 14, effective July 1, 1993.

Effective date -- 1993 sp.s. c 18: See note following RCW 28B.12.060.

Intent -- Severability -- Effective date -- 1993 c 379: See notes following RCW 28B.10.029.

Effective date -- 1987 c 15: See note following RCW 28B.15.411.

Effective date -- Severability -- 1982 1st ex.s. c 37: See notes following RCW 28B.15.012.

Severability -- 1981 c 257: "If any provision of this amendatory act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1981 c 257 § 13.]

Effective date -- 1977 ex.s. c 331: "The effective date of this 1977 amendatory act shall be September 1, 1977." [1977 ex.s. c 331 § 5.]

Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 331: "If any provision of this 1977 act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1977 ex.s. c 331 § 4.]

Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 279: See note following RCW 28B.15.005.