PHOENIX - "Wishy-washy" students beware.

A bill recently introduced in the Arizona House would charge in-state students out-of-state tuition for completing too many units during their college careers. As written, the bill would apply only to in-state students.

House Bill 2349 was reintroduced by Rep. Jean McGrath, R-Glendale, who said taxpayers should not be responsible for supporting a student's "hobby." The bill, which died last year before reaching committee, would affect students who have completed 32 units more than their degrees require.

The credit limitation bill would also target graduate and doctoral students who enroll in an excess of 20 units more than their degrees require.

Paul Allvin, of the Arizona Students' Association, said college is supposed to be a time for young people to explore and learn different subjects. The bill would penalize students for enrolling in non-degree related courses, which often can be "life-changing" courses as well, he said.

Allvin said there are legitimate reasons for students enrolling in additional hours. Transfer students often come to the universities with an abundance of hours that remain on their transcripts, and many times, students are forced to enroll in non-degree courses to maintain a full load because there are no available openings in their required courses, he said.

However, McGrath said the bill provides plenty of "flex" for students who may have these problems or decide to switch majors early on. But, she said, "wishy-washy" students who change majors during their senior year rely on taxpayers to pay for their indecisiveness and inability to make a decision. This is "your problem," not the state's, she said.

For the 95-96 school year the Arizona Board of Regents said it would cost an average of $7,691 to attend an Arizona university. A fraction of that cost is covered by an in-state student's tuition of $1,884 a year. Out-of-state tuition is $7,912.

McGrath is unsure how the bill will do this time around, but the chairman of the education committee, Dan Schottel, R-Tucson, has signed on to the bill; and, McGrath said, the appropriations committee is always pleased when bills that reduce the budget come across its table.

The bill has not been scheduled for a hearing. It must pass the Committee on Public Institutions and Universities and the Committee on Education before heading to the House for a full vote.