BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2202 Page 1 ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 2202 (Block) As Amended May 25, 2012 Majority vote HIGHER EDUCATION 9-0 APPROPRIATIONS 12-5 ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Ayes: |Block, Olsen, Achadjian, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Blumenfield, | | |Brownley, Fong, | |Bradford, Charles | | |Galgiani, Lara, Miller, | |Calderon, Campos, Davis, | | |Portantino | |Gatto, Ammiano, Hill, | | | | |Lara, Mitchell, Solorio | | | | | | |------+-------------------------+-----+---------------------------| | | |Nays:|Harkey, Donnelly, Nielsen, | | | | |Norby, Wagner | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------ SUMMARY : Requires the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) to conduct and study and make recommendations, by January 1, 2014, regarding opportunities to expand access to higher education in underserved areas, including through expanded distance education, new off-campus centers and campuses, regional partnerships of existing institutions, and local admissions guarantees. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, absorbable one-time cost to the LAO for the study. COMMENTS : Prior to 2011 when its funding was eliminated in the 2011-12 Budget Act, the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) was the coordinating entity for postsecondary education in California, which included review and recommendation for new public postsecondary institutions or branches. Currently functions related to campus growth and planning are not being performed by any higher education coordinating entity the State of California. According to the author, our state's impacted higher education infrastructure has neither the space nor the resources to meet forecasted population growth. Difficult economic times coupled with growing demand for higher education has seen California's AB 2202 Page 2 public colleges and universities turning away tens of thousands of students. The author contends that more should be done to ensure that California's higher education system reaches those who are being underserved. This bill will direct the LAO to conduct a study of how best to expand postsecondary education access in California. The LAO is the non-partisan fiscal and policy advisor to the Legislature and the LAO staff routinely provides assistance and resources for Legislative offices upon verbal and written request. The author contends that while the LAO can conduct studies without a legislative mandate, this bill will ensure that the subject matter of this bill is appropriately focused and completed in a timely fashion. Analysis Prepared by : Sandra Fried / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0003905