BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2766
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Date of Hearing: April 19, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Jose Medina, Chair
AB 2766
(Lopez) - As Introduced February 19, 2016
SUBJECT: Student Aid Commission
SUMMARY: Expands the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)
to include two additional student members. Specifically, this
bill:
1)Provides that CSAC shall consist of four student members, one
from each of the following postsecondary educational
institutions:
a) The University of California (UC);
b) The California State University (CSU);
c) The California Community Colleges (CCC); and,
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d) A California private postsecondary educational
institution.
2)Requires the student member to be enrolled in that
postsecondary educational institution at the time of
appointment and during the duration of the term. A student
member who graduates with no more than six months of his or
her term remaining shall be permitted to serve for the
remainder of the term.
EXISTING LAW: Establishes CSAC, composed of 15 members, to
administer California's student financial aid programs.
Designates two student members, appointed by the Governor and
confirmed by the Senate, required to be enrolled in
postsecondary educational institutions for the duration of the
two year terms; a graduating student may serve for six months
beyond graduation. The two students may not be enrolled in the
same segment of higher education. The segments of higher
education are designated as the University of California (UC),
the California State University (CSU), the California Community
Colleges (CCC), independent institutions (non-profit), and
for-profit institutions. CSAC is responsible for determining
the appropriate student organization for each segment, and each
student organization is required to inform students within their
respective segment of pending CSAC student member vacancies and
each student organization is authorized to submit a list of
three to five nominees for membership. A student member
appointed to CSAC may not be in the same segment of the outgoing
or the other sitting student member.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.
COMMENTS: Purpose of this bill. According to the author, the
student makeup of the CSAC board creates an unequal voice for
the two student groups that are not appointed during that term.
This leaves two of the four student groups without having a
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counted vote to make important decisions that are before the
board. This bill will create equal student representation for
all college systems in California by expanding the CSAC board to
two additional members. This bill will ensure that the diverse
perspectives from the different student bodies are able to be
heard and given a full vote regarding matters that are before
the board. This bill will provide an equitable student voice in
matters that deeply affect students across California.
Related legislation. AB 2154 (Medina) was approved by this
Committee on April 12, 2016, and provides that upon expiration
of a student member of CSAC's two year term, if the Governor has
not appointed a successor, the student member may remain in
office for one additional year or until the Governor appoints a
successor, whichever occurs first. Additionally, AB 2154
provides that, in addition to the $100 daily stipend for
attending meetings, for a student member who attends a
qualifying institution and is not the recipient of a Cal Grant
award, the qualifying institution shall waive the student
member's tuition, up to the maximum award amount for that
institution, for the duration of the student member's term of
office.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California Immigrant Policy Center
Opposition
AB 2766
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None on File
Analysis Prepared by:Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960