BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                    AB 2766


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          CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS


          AB  
          2766 (Lopez)


          As Amended  August 17, 2016


          Majority vote


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          |ASSEMBLY:  |78-0  |(May 12, 2016) |SENATE: |39-0  |(August 24,      |
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          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  








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          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  








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          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