Tennessee Senate Bill SB2826

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/24
• Engrossed: 3/11/24
• Enrolled: 4/19/24
• Passed: 5/1/24
• Chaptered: 5/13/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 7, relative to fees for state authorization reciprocity agreement institutions.

Impact

The implementation of SB2826 will have a direct influence on the financial operations of participating SARA institutions in Tennessee. By allowing fees to be adjusted annually based on enrollment, the bill facilitates a more equitable system that reflects the actual administrative costs linked to each institution's participation in SARA. This change is set to take effect on July 1, 2024, giving institutions time to prepare for these adjustments to their budgeting processes.

Summary

Senate Bill 2826 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 7 regarding the fees for institutions participating in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). The bill seeks to standardize the fee structure based on each institution's full-time enrollment and the costs associated with administering the SARA. By allowing the commission to set fees based on established criteria, the bill intends to ensure that costs are manageable for institutions while maintaining compliance with federal standards.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB2826 appears to be generally positive, recognizing the need for a clear and stable financial framework for institutions under SARA. Supporters argue that it offers necessary flexibility to manage fees in a way that takes into account changing enrollment figures while keeping higher education accessible. However, there may be concerns regarding how these fee changes could impact students indirectly, especially in terms of potential increases in tuition as institutions adjust to new fee structures.

Contention

While the bill seems to have garnered support, one potential point of contention lies in the autonomy of the commission tasked with establishing the fee structure. Critics may worry about the commission's discretion in fee setting, which could lead to discrepancies in how different institutions are charged and the financial transparency in that process. These discussions highlight the balance between necessary regulation and institutional independence in managing their financial obligations to the state.