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Bill

HB 1485

Increasing the annual limit of services and activities fees at institutions of higher education.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Nance and 5 co-sponsors

HB 1485 raises the annual cap on mandatory student services and activities fees at Washington colleges and universities, increasing student costs while expanding institutional revenue.

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.
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Bill Summary · HB 1485

Legislative bill overview

HB 1485 increases the annual cap on services and activities fees that Washington state colleges and universities can charge students. The bill allows institutions of higher education to collect higher mandatory fees beyond current statutory limits, which are used to fund campus services like student organizations, recreation facilities, health services, and other student-facing programs.

Why is this important

This directly affects student costs and institutional budgets. Higher fees increase the out-of-pocket expenses for students already facing tuition increases, while giving universities more revenue for campus operations without raising tuition itself. The distinction matters because fee increases may be less visible to the public than tuition hikes but have the same financial impact on students.

Potential points of contention

  • Student affordability: Increasing mandatory fees reduces purchasing power for low-income and middle-class students, potentially affecting college access and completion rates
  • Fee transparency and accountability: Questions about whether current fees are necessary, how efficiently they're spent, and whether students have adequate input on fee-funded services
  • Institutional autonomy vs. accountability: Raising caps gives universities more financial flexibility but reduces legislative oversight and may create pressure for continued fee increases in future years

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

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