ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SB 1215: WICHE; continuation.

PRIME SPONSOR: Senator Allen S, LD 6

BILL STATUS: Caucus & COW

Abstract

Relating to WICHE continuation.

Provisions

1. Continues WICHE until July 1, 2026. (Sec. 1-4)

2. Repeals the Compact for Western Regional Cooperation in Higher Education on January 1, 2027. (Sec. 2)

Current Law

In 1952, Arizona entered a compact to establish WICHE for regional cooperation in higher education. WICHE oversees student exchange programs, research and regional initiatives.  ABOR administers WICHE programs in Arizona, including the Western Undergraduate Exchange, Western Regional Graduate Program and the Professional Student Exchange Program. The Western Undergraduate Exchange and Western Regional Graduate Program are exchange programs that allow students to receive reduced out-of-state tuition at participating institutions. The Professional Student Exchange Program allows students enrolled in select healthcare degree programs to receive tuition subsidies funded by the student's home state legislature. In Arizona, graduates who received tuition subsidies are required to practice one year in Arizona, or six months in an under-served Arizona community, for each year of WICHE support. Students who fail to meet the service requirements must repay 100% of their subsidies plus interest. (A.R.S. § 15-1742)

WICHE is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2018. (A.R.S. § 41-3018.10)

Additional Information

In FY 2018, the Arizona Legislature appropriated $145,000 to ABOR for the Western

Interstate Commission Office administrative expenditures and approximately $4.1 million for WICHE student subsidies (2018 Appropriations Report).

The House Education and Senate Education Committee of Reference met on December 14, 2017 and recommended a 8 year continuation for WICHE.

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Fifty-third Legislature                  SB 1215

Second Regular Session                               Version 2: Caucus & COW

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