SB343: Bill Text

MDK:amn&wlj

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Senate BILL 343

August 8, 2019 - Introduced by Senator Jacque, cosponsored by Representatives Murphy, Pronschinske, Kerkman, Felzkowski, Ramthun and Zimmerman. Referred to Committee on Universities, Technical Colleges, Children and Families.

SB343,1,2 An Act to amend 36.27 (1) (a); and to create 36.27 (1m) of the statutes; relating to: University of Wisconsin System resident undergraduate tuition.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Beginning in the 2021-22 academic year, this bill prohibits the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System from increasing resident undergraduate tuition for students in two-year and four-year institutions by more than the increase in the consumer price index for the previous year. The bill defines CPI as the consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, as determined by the U.S. department of labor. Also, for purposes of the bill, “resident undergraduate tuition” is defined to include any differential tuition charged to a resident undergraduate.

The bill also freezes the amount of resident undergraduate tuition charged to an individual student as follows. First, for a student who first enrolls in an institution in the 2021-22 academic year or thereafter, the amount of resident undergraduate tuition charged in the first year of enrollment is subject to the prohibition described above. In addition, the amount of resident undergraduate tuition charged to the student must remain constant while the student continues his or her enrollment in the institution, or for four consecutive academic years, whichever is less. The foregoing applies regardless of whether the student was previously enrolled in another UW institution or a non-UW institution of higher education.

Second, for a student who continues his or her enrollment in a UW institution in the 2021-22 academic year, the amount of resident tuition charged to the student for the 2021-22 academic year is subject to the prohibition described above. In addition, the amount of resident undergraduate tuition charged to the student must remain constant while the student continues his or her enrollment in the institution, or through the 2024-25 academic year, whichever is less.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB343,1 Section 1. 36.27 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB343,2,8 36.27 (1) (a) Subject to par. (b) and sub. (1m), the board may establish for different classes of students differing tuition and fees incidental to enrollment in educational programs or use of facilities in the system. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the board may charge any student who is not exempted by this section a nonresident tuition. The board may establish special rates of tuition and fees for the extension and summer sessions and such other studies or courses of instruction as the board deems advisable.

SB343,2 Section 2. 36.27 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB343,2,10 36.27 (1m) Resident undergraduate tuition. (a) In this subsection:

SB343,2,12 1. “Consumer price index” means the consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, as determined by the U.S. department of labor.

SB343,2,14 2. “Resident undergraduate tuition” includes any differential tuition charged to a resident undergraduate.

SB343,2,17 (b) Beginning in the 2021-22 academic year, the Board of Regents may not increase resident undergraduate tuition by more than the percentage increase in the consumer price index for the previous year.

SB343,3,5 (c) For a student who first enrolls in a college campus or university in the 2021-22 academic year or thereafter, the amount of resident undergraduate tuition charged to the student for the first year of enrollment is subject to par. (b) and shall remain constant while the student continues his or her enrollment in the college campus or university, or for 4 consecutive academic years, whichever is less. This paragraph applies regardless of whether the student was previously enrolled in another college campus or university or other institution of higher education.

SB343,3,11 (d) For a student who continues his or her enrollment in a college campus or university in the 2021-22 academic year, the amount of resident undergraduate tuition charged to the student for the 2021-22 academic year is subject to par. (b) and shall remain constant while the student continues his or her enrollment in the college campus or university, or through the 2024-25 academic year, whichever is less.

SB343,3,12 (End)