Assigned to ED FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to ED FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
Purpose
Continues the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) for eight years.
Background
WICHE is a regional organization created by the Western Regional Education Compact to facilitate resource sharing among the higher education systems of western states. WICHE consists of Arizona, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Arizona's participation in WICHE began in 1953 and includes access to three student exchange programs: 1) the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP); 2) the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program; and 3) the Western Regional Graduate Program. The Arizona WICHE Program is administered by the Arizona Board of Regents (A.R.S. § 15-1742).
The Senate Education and the House Education Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting on December 14, 2017, to review the sunset factors and responses to the agency questions and receive public testimony. The COR recommended that the Legislature continue WICHE for eight years. WICHE terminates on July 1, 2018, unless continued by the Legislature.
According to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, in FY 2018, WICHE received $4,086,000 from the state GF for PSEP subsidies, and $145,000 for WICHE administrative dues.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2018, WICHE until July 1, 2026.
2. Repeals WICHE on January 1, 2027.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 23, 2018
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