BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2133
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Date of Hearing: April 24, 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
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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
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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.
Pending Author's Amendments:
Staff is informed that the author plans to amend the bill to add
language substantially similar to the following:
(d) Students who receive priority registration for
enrollment pursuant to this section shall comply with the
requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 78212.
Education Code Section 78212 is concerned with matriculation.
Subsection (a) states:
For purposes of this article, "matriculation" means a
process that brings a college and a student who enrolls for
credit into an agreement for the purpose of realizing the
student's educational objectives. The agreement involves
the responsibilities of both parties to attain those
objectives through the college's established programs,
policies, and requirements.
The student's responsibilities under the agreement include
the expression of at least a broad educational intent upon
enrollment, the declaration of a specific educational
objective within a reasonable period after enrollment,
diligence in class attendance and completion of assigned
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coursework, and the completion of courses and maintenance
of progress toward an educational goal according to
standards established by the college, the district, and the
state. ÝEmphasis added.]
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
Coast Community College District
North Orange County Community College District
South Orange County Community College District
Rancho Santiago Community College District
Orange County Community College Legislative Task Force
Support if amended
California Community Colleges, Chancellor's Office
California Community College League
Opposition
None at this time.
Analysis Prepared by : John Spangler / V. A. / (916) 319-3550