HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1278

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the university of hawaii.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the tuition schedule established by the board of regents of the University of Hawaii has created an unreasonable increase in the cost of attendance.  For example, tuition fees for resident full-time undergraduate students at the University of Hawaii Manoa has been steadily increasing since academic year 2011-2012, by approximately 3.1 per cent in 2012-2013, 5.5 per cent in 2013-2014, 7.6 per cent in 2014-2015, 5.1 per cent in 2015-2016, 5.1 per cent in 2016-2017, and tuition fees are scheduled to increase by another 1.9 per cent in 2018-2019.

     The legislature recognizes that universities need funds to operate, and that the University of Hawaii is trying to address a substantial deferred repair and maintenance backlog.  However, the legislature finds that tuition costs at the university have consistently and significantly been on the rise, even in recent years, such as 2008-2010, in which the university has received greater amounts of general fund appropriations from the legislature.

     The legislature finds that the cost of tuition at the University of Hawaii is a matter of statewide concern and that it is in the best interests of the State to ensure that all students have affordable access to higher education.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to prohibit the board of regents of the University of Hawaii from increasing tuition fees until 2027, and require the university to provide the legislature with an analysis of whether current tuition increases are helping address the university's repair and maintenance backlog.

     SECTION 2.  Section 304A-401, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The board of regents may charge resident and nonresident tuition fees for regular courses of instruction at any University of Hawaii campus, including any community college[.]; provided that the board of regents shall not approve any increase in regular credit or summer session tuition fees until 2027."

     SECTION 3.  The University of Hawaii shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2018 regarding the status of the university's repair and maintenance costs and whether the tuition increases effective through the 2019-2020 academic year are assisting in addressing the repair and maintenance backlog.

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Tuition; Limits; Repair and Maintenance Costs

 

Description:

Prohibits the University of Hawaii board of regents from increasing tuition fees until 2027.  Requires the university to report to the legislature regarding tuition increases and the university's repair and maintenance costs.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.