BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2133 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 10, 2012 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS Paul J. Cook, Chair AB 2133 (Blumenfield) - As Amended: March 21, 2012 SUBJECT : Veterans: priority registration SUMMARY : This bill: 1)Titles this section the Combat to College Act of 2012. 2)Extends the priority registration for enrollment period for California State University (CSU) and California Community Colleges (CCC) for veterans from four years post discharge to fifteen years post discharge. 3)Extends the scope of programs covered by priority registration for enrollment; certificate programs will now be included. 4)Requests UC comply with these provisions. 5)Creates a reimbursable state mandate if so determined by the Commission on State Mandates. EXISTING LAW grants priority enrollment for registration to veterans for four years post discharge from active duty. Priority enrollment gives veterans priority over other students when enrolling in classes. The law currently gives this priority for all degree programs. Montgomery GI Bill: Fewer veterans use this federal education program since the advent of the Post 9/11 GI Bill Program, however, this program generally pays a total of 36 months of benefits for up to ten years post active duty. Post 9/11 GI Bill: This newer education benefit program generally pays a total of 36 months of benefits for up to fifteen years post active duty. FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown at this time. COMMENTS : A veteran student may need some time, perhaps even years, before deciding to use GI bill benefits and go to school. The GI Bill programs recognize this by giving a long time AB 2133 Page 2 during which the veteran may use his or her benefits. The bill as drafted makes a parallel accommodation, giving students who take some time to make the decision to go to school the benefit of priority enrollment when the student is ready. There is a second component to the GI Bill programs, the number of academic months during which a student may receive benefits. The GI bill student generally has 36 months of benefits; the programs are designed to accommodate a student who works at a reasonable pace to obtain a degree or similar academic outcome before benefits run out. The bill as drafted, however, does not have a parallel provision; a veteran would receive an entire 15 years of priority enrollment for registration, not 36 months within 15 years as under the GI Bill. According to the author, the existing priority enrollment of four years is not enough time because it does not mirror the timeline that veterans have to use their GI Bill benefits and because many veterans are not ready to pursue higher education within four years of separation from the military due to brain injuries, trauma, or life circumstances. There are two main policy reasons for giving priority enrollment to veteran students. One is to support those veterans who are using their GI Bill so that they may have a reasonable chance to finish a degree before their benefits run out. A second reason is to recognize the sacrifice and service veterans have rendered to the country. The bill as drafted will both assist those veteran students who are using GI Bill benefits, trying to get through the system before benefits run out and all veteran students in recognition of their service. The State is in a time of budget austerity and most of our institutions of higher education are impacted by deep budget cuts and applications from far more students than they can serve. Many, if not most students face challenges getting classes they need for their academic programs. Policymakers must balance the unique needs of veteran students who have served their nation honorably during a time of war against the needs of other students in a severely oversubscribed and budget-reduced higher education system. According to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education: Other priority registration efforts . After a year of study AB 2133 Page 3 and research, this January the CCC Student Success Task Force (created by SB 1143, Liu, Chapter 409, Statutes of 2010), issued a report with 22 recommendations to improve CCC students' success in completing their certificates, degrees and educational goals. The report identifies core priorities-basic math and English instruction, transfer preparation, career technical training and degree attainment-and refocusing policies and future investments to support these priorities. A key recommendation is to give priority to returning and first-time students who have taken a diagnostic assessment, participated in orientation and have developed an educational plan. All students will need to identify a program of study within three semesters or they will lose their priority. Priority registration for all degree programs . It is staff's understanding that existing law and practice provide priority enrollment for veterans and active duty military regardless of the course or degree program. Related legislation . SB 813 (Committee on Veterans Affairs), Chapter 375, Statutes of 2010, extended priority enrollment for veterans from two to four years. AB 194 (Beall), Chapter 458, Statutes of 2010, granted priority enrollment for five years to foster youth. SB 272 (Runner), Chapter 356, Statutes of 2007, as chaptered, established priority registration for two years for members of the military. REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION : Support National Association of Social Workers American Legion- Department of California AMVETS- Department of California California Association of County Veteran Service Officers California State Commanders Veterans Council Vietnam Veterans of America- California State Council Support if amended California Community Colleges, Chancellor's Office California Community College League AB 2133 Page 4 Opposition None at this time. Analysis Prepared by : John Spangler / V. A. / (916) 319-3550