The tuition-setting authority bill died in the State House of Representatives Higher Education Committee Tuesday.

The bill would have allowed Western, the University of Washington and Washington State University trustees and regent boards the authority to raise undergraduate in-state tuition up to 14 percent in a year, and no more than 9 percent compounded over 15 years. As it stands, state legislation maintains control over tuition.

The committee did not vote on the bill Tuesday, which is the unofficial cut-off date for policy-related bills to be sent to the House floor for review, said Associated Students Legislative Liaison Jamie Marine. Marine said there is still a slight chance the bill could move to the House for a vote if a House leadership member pulls the bill by Friday.

Many students and higher education representatives spoke in favor and against the bill at the hearing on Tuesday, Marine said.  

The session went over its time by two hours and had to use a larger room than usual for the crowd, Marine said.  In the end, those against the bill won out.

“We had a pretty good turnout of students. I think the opposition to the bill was well heard,” Marine said. “The committee definitely had nodding heads when students testified.”

Wallace said she eventually decided the bill could not go through as it was.

“I believe the authority should stay with the Legislature,” Wallace said. “I think it’s important because [the Legislature is] accountable.”

Western Board of Trustees Chair Phil Sharpe spoke in favor of the bill at the committee hearing on Tuesday.  He said the bill did not have much chance in the House to begin with, as Wallace was not in favor of local tuition-setting authority.  

Sharpe said while the bill is likely to not move from the committee, he expects Washingtonians have not seen the end of this bill.

“I suspect this issue has enough support it won’t dry up and go away,” Sharpe said.  “I suspect if it’s not pulled, it will be back again next year in legislation.”

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