A resolution filed this week would limit the State Board of Regents' power to increase tuition.
The regents would be prohibited from increasing tuition and fees at rates that exceed inflation without approval from the General Assembly, under House Resolution 383 introduced by Rep. Ed Rynders, R-Albany.
"Everybody has pains and all agencies are dealing with less," Rynders said Friday. "The regents can't just pass this on to the students."
The resolution calls for a constitutional amendment that would need to pass both the House and Senate with two-thirds vote before it could go before voters in November 2012.
The regents oversee the 35 campuses in the University System of Georgia and their duties include setting tuition. This year's tuition increases ranged from about 4 percent at two-year colleges to more than 16 percent at research universities.
Students, parents and lawmakers have complained about the hikes. Frustration turned to concern this week after Gov. Nathan Deal released his proposal for cutting costs for the HOPE scholarship, which covers all tuition for high-achieving students who attend public colleges. The change means the scholarship won't cover all tuition for most recipients, requiring students and their families to make up the difference.
The regents have said they're forced to increase tuition because of rapid enrollment growth and cuts in state funding caused by the recession. Deal's budget cuts about $300 million in funding for the University System of Georgia over the next 18 months.
"We understand the interest of the legislature in our operations and decision-making," spokesman John Millsaps said, adding they will discuss the resolution in the appropriate committees.
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