BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2766 Page 1 CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS AB 2766 (Lopez) As Amended August 17, 2016 Majority vote -------------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: |78-0 |(May 12, 2016) |SENATE: |39-0 |(August 24, | | | | | | |2016) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------- Original Committee Reference: HIGHER ED. SUMMARY: Expands the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) from two to four student members and requires that the University of California, California State University, California Community Colleges, and California private postsecondary educational institutions each have a student representative on the commission. The Senate amendments incorporate amendments proposed by both this bill and AB 2154 (Medina) of the current legislative session to address conflicts in the case that both bills are enacted. 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 AB 2766 Page 2 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: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, this bill has negligible fiscal impact. 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 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) 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 AB 2766 Page 3 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. Analysis Prepared by: Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960 FN: 0004560