BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2766 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 4, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Lorena Gonzalez, Chair AB 2766 (Lopez) - As Introduced February 19, 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Higher Education |Vote:|13 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill expands the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to add two student members, bringing the total number of student commissioners to four, consisting of one each from: AB 2766 Page 2 a) The University of California (UC); b) The California State University (CSU); c) The California Community Colleges (CCC); and, d) A California private postsecondary educational institution. FISCAL EFFECT: Minor annual General Fund costs (less than $10,000) for CSAC expenses related to two additional student commissioners. (Commissioners receive a $100 stipend and travel expense reimbursement for each meeting day.) COMMENTS: 1)Background. CSAC, which administers California's student financial aid programs, is composed of 15 members, including two student members required to be enrolled in postsecondary educational institutions for the duration of their two-year terms, though a graduating student may serve for six months beyond graduation. The two students may not be enrolled in the same segment of higher education. 2)Purpose. 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 AB 2766 Page 3 the four student groups without having a counted vote to make important decisions that are before the board. AB 2766 creates equal student representation for all the college segments by expanding the CSAC board by two additional members. This will ensure that the diverse perspectives from the different student bodies are heard and given a full vote regarding matters before the board. 3)Related Legislation. AB 2154 (Medina), pending in the Assembly, provides that, upon expiration of the CSAC student member's two-year term, if the Governor has not appointed a successor, the student member may remain in office for up to one additional year or until the Governor appoints a successor, whichever occurs first. Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081