HB 2781 Summary

• Freezes tuition and mandatory fees at Oklahoma State System of Higher Education institutions at September 1, 2013 levels until June 30, 2019, with no increases permitted during this period.

• Requires legislative approval by concurrent resolution before the State Regents for Higher Education can implement any increase in resident or nonresident tuition, and mandates the Regents submit tuition increase recommendations by February 1 prior to the next academic year.

• Maintains existing tuition comparison benchmarks for comprehensive universities (resident tuition below Big Twelve averages) and regional universities/two-year colleges (resident tuition below comparable institutions in adjacent states).

• Preserves the guaranteed tuition rate program allowing resident undergraduate students to lock in four-year tuition rates at enrollment.

• Establishes the Act's effective date as July 1, 2014, with emergency clause to take effect upon passage and approval.