Official Summary Text
SB1423 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet
Assigned to
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COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR
S.B. 1423
WICHE; continuation
Purpose
Continues the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
for 10 years.
Background
WICHE is a regional organization established to facilitate resource
sharing among higher education systems of western states and allow students to
access affordable options for
high-demand fields. WICHE offers three programs for students: the Western
Undergraduate Exchange, the Western Regional Graduate Program and the
Professional Student Exchange Program (
ABOR
).
WICHE may act on behalf of Arizona to make arrangements for the placement
of students in institutions and programs of higher learning outside the state.
For that purpose, the WICHE Commission may negotiate and enter into
arrangements and contracts with the Arizona Board of Regents, public and
private educational institutions, agencies and with other states. Such
arrangements and contracts may provide for: 1) the obtaining of one or more
places for students on either a special or continuing basis; 2) the payment of
partial or full tuition and other charges not to exceed the cost of agreements
within the Compact area; and 3) the furnishing of reciprocal, compensating or
other advantages and benefits in support of the educational program involved (
A.R.S.
� 15-1743
).�
The Senate Education Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting
on January 21, 2026, to review and evaluate WICHE's response to the sunset
review factors and receive public testimony. The COR recommended that the
Legislature continue WICHE for 10 years, until July 1, 2036 (
COR
Report
). WICHE terminates on July 1, 2026, unless continued by the
Legislature (
A.R.S.
� 41-3026.10
).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund
associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1.
Continues,
retroactive to July 1, 2026, WICHE until July 1, 2036.
2.
Repeals
WICHE on January 1, 2037.�
3.
Contains
a purpose statement.
4.
Becomes
effective on the general effective date, with a retroactivity provision as
noted.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 2, 2026
MH/SM/hk
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
Chapter 0227 - 572R - S Ver of SB1423
Senate Engrossed
WICHE; continuation
State of Arizona
Senate
Fifty-seventh Legislature
Second Regular Session
2026
CHAPTER 227
SENATE BILL 1423
AN
ACT
repealing section 41-3026.10,
Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona
Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-3036.10; relating to the western
interstate commission for higher education.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section
1.
Repeal
Section 41-3026.10, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is repealed.
Sec.
2.
Title
41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding
section 41-3036.10, to read:
START_STATUTE
41-3036.10.
Western interstate commission for higher education; termination
July 1, 2036
A. The
western interstate commission for higher education terminates on July 1, 2036.
B. Title
15, chapter 13, article 8 and this section are repealed on January 1, 2037.
END_STATUTE
Sec.
3.
Purpose
Pursuant to section 41-2955,
subsection B, Arizona Revised Statutes, the legislature continues the western
interstate commission for higher education to enter into agreements with
institutions in the region offering graduate or professional education or with
compacting states or territories to provide adequate services and facilities
for graduate and professional education for citizens of this state.
Sec.
4.
Retroactivity
Sections 1 and 2 of this act apply
retroactively to from and after July 1, 2026.
APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR
JUNE 22, 2026.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE
SECRETARY OF STATE JUNE 22, 2026.