Legislative Briefs

Student fees

House Bills 2542A, 2919A, 3012A

What it does: All students enrolled at Oregon's public universities and community colleges are subject to mandatory enrollment, incidental and student-initiated fees in addition to tuition. Mandatory incidental and student-initiated fees cover student activities and programs. These fees are requested by student government, collected by institutional boards and not subject to the same advisory guidelines as mandatory enrollment fees. In addition, enrolled students are required to pay additional fees or purchase instructional materials at their own expense. These required instructional materials include textbooks, study guides, software and lab equipment. 

• House Bill 2542A would require public universities and community colleges to provide descriptions for mandatory fees charged to students.
• House Bill 2919A would require public universities and community colleges to provide the total costs of all required course materials and fees for at least 75% of courses offered and would establish which courses would be included in that 75%.
• House Bill 3012A would modify the requirements for fee increases or changes.

What’s next: The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing for all three bills Monday, May 3.

Legislative notes: 

House Bill 2051A (April 26 Legislative Briefs) would modify the enrollment criteria for the statewide reengagement system established with the 2019 Student Success Act, expanding eligibility to students up to age 24 and to students who are enrolled but are not on track to graduate on time. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a work session Wednesday, May 5.

House Bill 2135 (March 29 Legislative Briefs) would prohibit issuing a teaching license or registration to a person convicted of domestic violence. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Wednesday, May 5.

House Bill 2536 (March 29 Legislative Briefs and updated in the April 19 Legislative Briefs) would make technical changes to statutes created as part of the 2019 Student Success Act to make it clear that some schools, under certain circumstances, shall offer these same meals without additional approval from the Oregon Department of Education. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Wednesday, May 5.

House Bill 2697A (March 22 Legislative Briefs) enacts the administrative rules that required education providers to adopt policies to prohibit the use or display of certain hate symbols on school grounds or at school activities, now referred to as “Every Student Belongs,” into law. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Monday, May 3.

Senate Bill 242 (April 19 Legislative Briefs) is the technical fix bill that addresses implementation challenges stemming from SB 155. It updates technical modifications to the definition of sexual conduct, enhances records-sharing permissions for agencies and school districts, and adds education service district board members to the list of mandatory reporters in ORS 419b. The House Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Thursday, May 6.