The state House Education Committee approved Thursday a bill that would implement an increase of the operational fee from $80 to $250 per semester.
The fee hike proposed in House Bill 677, which was approved by a 13-2 vote, would not be covered by TOPS.
Earlier this week, the House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would increase tuition at the University by up to 5 percent in each of the next four years.
Both measures still need two-thirds approval from the House and the Senate.
Student Government President Colorado Robertson initially opposed the operation fee hike but told The Advocate he changed his mind because an amendment to bill called for the fee to be phased in and not charged all at once.
Robertson said the increase may also be necessary because of recent state budget cuts in higher education.
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