California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly BillNo. 2434


Introduced by Assembly Members Bonta and Ting

February 19, 2016


An act to repeal Section 66010.6 of the Education Code, relating to postsecondary education.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2434, as introduced, Bonta. Postsecondary education: higher education policy.

Existing law, the Donahoe Higher Education Act, sets forth the missions and functions of the 4 segments comprising the state’s postsecondary education system. These segments are the University of California, administered by the Regents of the University of California, the California State University, administered by the Trustees of the California State University, the California Community Colleges, administered by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, and independent institutions of higher education. A provision of the act sets forth the missions of specified agencies charged with coordination, administration, or implementation of higher education policies and programs.

This bill would delete this provision, and would express the intent of the Legislature to explore alternative ways to improve affordability, accessibility, coordination, and development of higher education policy that are consistent with the interest of the people and State of California.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

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SECTION 1.  

It is the intent of the Legislature to explore
2alternative ways to improve affordability, accessibility,
3coordination, and development of higher education policy that are
4consistent with the interest of the people and State of California.

5

SEC. 2.  

Section 66010.6 of the Education Code is repealed.

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66010.6.  

The missions of agencies charged with coordination,
7administration, or implementation of higher education policies and
8programs in California shall be as follows:

9(a) The California Postsecondary Education Commission is the
10statewide postsecondary education coordinating and planning
11agency. The commission shall serve as a principal fiscal and
12program advisor to the Governor and the Legislature on
13postsecondary educational policy. Consistent with Section 66903,
14the commission’s responsibilities shall include, but not be limited
15to, the following:

16(1) Analysis and recommendations related to long-range
17planning for public postsecondary education.

18(2) Analysis of state policy and programs involving the
19independent and private postsecondary educational sectors.

20(3)  Analysis and recommendations related to program and
21policy review.

22(4) Resource analysis.

23(5) Maintenance and publication of pertinent public information
24relating to all aspects of postsecondary education.

25The commission shall consult with the postsecondary educational
26segments and with relevant state agencies, including the Student
27Aid Commission, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and
28other relevant parties, in its preparation of analyses and
29recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. However,
30the commission shall remain an independent and nonpartisan body
31responsible for providing an integrated and segmentally unbiased
32view for purposes of state policy formulation and evaluation.

33(b) The California Student Aid Commission is the primary state
34agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial
35aid programs available to students attending all segments of
36postsecondary education. These programs include grant, work
37study, and loan programs supported by the state and the federal
38government.

P3    1Consistent with this responsibility, the Commission shall provide,
2in consultation with the postsecondary education segments and
3relevant state agencies, policy leadership on student financial aid
4issues, evaluate the effectiveness of its programs, conduct research
5and long-range planning as a foundation for program improvement,
6report on total state financial aid needs, and disseminate
7information to students and their families.

8(c) The Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational
9Education is the primary state agency responsible for approving
10and regulating private postsecondary and vocational educational
11institutions and for developing state policies for private
12postsecondary and vocational education in California. The council
13shall represent the private postsecondary and vocational education
14institutions in all state level planning and policy discussions about
15postsecondary and vocational education.

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