A bill that would require Arizona undergraduate students at the three state universities to contribute at least $2,000 toward the cost of their education narrowly passed out of the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.

House Bill 2675 was approved by a 7-6 vote after more than 90 minutes of discussion and testimony that was sometimes contentious between legislators and students.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, could affect thousands of students, though no one is precisely sure how many. Athletic and merit scholars would be exempt, and Kavanagh indicated on Wednesday that he is open to further exemptions, including some military veterans and students who live on campus and therefore have higher expenses than those living at home.

Kavanagh maintains that giving away free university tuition in tough times is bad policy, and free tuition can have negative consequences such as contributing to high college-dropout rates.

"Not everyone, but some people take things they get for free less seriously," he said.

The bill is opposed by the Arizona Board of Regents, the governing body for the three state universities and the Arizona Students' Association, a statewide group that represents students at Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

Kavanagh decided to introduce the bill this year after listening to testimony in a House committee meeting last year where ASU President Michael Crow said that nearly half of ASU students pay no tuition at all.

Crow was referring to a specific group of students: full-time, in-state undergraduates who in the 2009-10 school year received enough money in grants and scholarships to effectively offset the price of tuition.

On Wednesday, a regents staffer said the "nearly half" figure in 2009-10 was an "anomaly" that year because of increased federal grants and that year's tuition rates. Since then, tuition has gone up. The most current figure is closer to 25 percent, said Christine Thompson, the regents' vice president of government relations.

Testimony during Wednesday's committee hearing kept returning to a common theme: How much should students pay toward their college education, and how much should taxpayers contribute?

Supporters of the bill believe students should have more "skin in the game." Opponents believe students already pay a lot for their education, and tuition is only part of the expense of going to school.

About 100 students signed in to oppose the bill, and a handful spoke out against it. James Allen, UA student-body president, told legislators that by passing the bill, legislators would make it harder to achieve a higher-education degree.

Rep. Michelle Ugenti, R-Scottsdale, replied, "Welcome to life."

A few minutes later, Rep. Matt Heinz, D-Tucson, admonished his colleagues for their comments.

"I feel these students are being greeted with open hostility," said Heinz, who later voted against the bill.

The bill now goes to a vote of the full House.

Reach the reporter at 602-444-8072 or anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com.