higher education; increased costs; restrictions

HB 2288 restricts tuition and fee increases at Arizona's public universities. It limits annual tuition hikes for in-state undergraduate students to the change in the metropolitan Phoenix consumer price index (CPI), but only if the state appropriates at least 50% of the tuition and mandatory fees. The bill also prohibits tuition increases for in-state undergraduates during their first four years of enrollment. Additionally, it requires public hearings and disclosure of proposed changes before any tuition or fee adjustments take effect. This directly affects the Arizona Board of Regents, public universities, and in-state undergraduate students.