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HJ 468

Higher educational institutions, public; JLARC to study cost efficiency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by J.J. Singh

Directs JLARC to study the cost efficiency of Virginia's public higher education and identify concrete ways to lower tuition and student costs.

Left in Rules
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Bill Summary · HJ 468

Summary: HJ 468 — Higher educational institutions, public; JLARC to study cost efficiency

Overview

House Joint Resolution 468 (HJ468) directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study the cost efficiency of Virginia’s public higher education institutions and identify opportunities to reduce the cost of public higher education in the Commonwealth. The measure was introduced January 13, 2025, prefiled the same day, and referred to the House Rules Committee. As of February 4, 2025, it remains “Left in Rules.”

Purpose

  • To evaluate the full range of costs associated with public higher education in Virginia and to identify actionable ways to lower tuition and other student costs.
  • To build on historical efforts, including prior JLARC work and state policy aims to expand access to undergraduate degrees while controlling costs.

Key provisions and scope of the study

The study shall examine, comprehensively, the following areas (identified as items i–ix in the bill):

1) Full costs of in-state tuition and room and board at each public institution.
2) Historical and current funding appropriations to each public institution over time.
3) Administrative staffing and costs, including the administrator-to-student ratio at each institution.
4) Availability of scholarships and other student aid programs.
5) Impact of nonacademic activities and programs on tuition and fees.
6) Sources of revenue and how funds are allocated among academic, administrative, and other costs.
7) Relationships between each public institution and its associated foundations, and the use of foundation funds to reduce education costs for students.
8) Opportunities to reduce the cost of public higher education in the Commonwealth.
9) Other related matters as the Commission deems appropriate, plus a comprehensive update on the implementation status of the 2012 recommendations from House Joint Resolution 108 (2012).

Methodology and collaboration

  • Technical assistance to JLARC will be provided by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and each public institution.
  • All state agencies are required to assist JLARC upon request.

Timelines and reporting

  • JLARC must complete its first-year meetings by November 30, 2025, and its second-year meetings by November 30, 2026.
  • The chairman must submit an executive summary to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems no later than the first day of the next Regular Session for each year.
  • Each executive summary should indicate whether JLARC intends to submit a final report as a House or Senate document.
  • Executive summaries and final reports must follow the Division of Legislative Automated Systems’ procedures and be posted on the General Assembly’s website.

Background and context

HJ468 references prior policy and analysis:
- The Virginia Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2011 aimed to increase undergraduate degree conferrals.
- HJRs 2012–2014 (including HJR 108) examined cost efficiency and produced a 2014 JLARC report, “Addressing the Cost of Public Higher Education in Virginia.”
- JLARC’s 2023 Update noted tuition growth outpacing general inflation (average annual tuition growth of 4.4% vs. 2.5% inflation from 2012–2023) and reported an average 2023 tuition of $14,649 at baccalaureate public institutions.
- The report also highlighted significant student debt: average debt for 2020 graduates was $29,616, with 55% of graduates incurring debt.

Stakeholders

  • Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC)
  • State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)
  • Public institutions of higher education in Virginia
  • Their associated foundations
  • Virginia taxpayers and students (tuition payers and debtors)

Status and next steps

  • Introduced: January 13, 2025; Prefiled and ordered printed; Referred to Rules.
  • Current status: Left in Rules as of February 4, 2025.
  • If advanced, JLARC will produce executive summaries and final reports by the stated timelines and post materials on the General Assembly website.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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