BILL NUMBER: AB 1279	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER   337
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 7, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 7, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 26, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 23, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   AUGUST 16, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JULY 8, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 28, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 27, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Scott
   (Coauthor:  Assembly Member Ducheny)

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act relating to postsecondary education, and declaring the
urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1279, Scott.  Postsecondary education:  study of doctoral
education.
   Existing law establishes the various segments of the higher
education system in the state.  These segments include the University
of California, which is administered by the Regents of the
University of California, the California State University, which is
administered by the Trustees of the California State University, the
California Community Colleges, which are administered by the Board of
Governors of the California Community Colleges, and various private
and independent colleges and universities.  Existing law establishes
the California Postsecondary Education Commission as an entity
responsible for coordinating public, independent, and private
postsecondary education in California and providing independent
policy analysis and recommendations to the Legislature and the
Governor on postsecondary education issues.
   This bill would require the California Postsecondary Education
Commission to conduct a study to determine the current capacity for
applied joint doctorates in the state, as specified.  The bill would
require the commission to complete and transmit copies of the study
to the Governor and to the appropriate education policy and fiscal
committees of the Legislature on or before June 30, 2000.
   The bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an
urgency statute.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The increasing complexity of the tasks of the California work
force and the need for increased intellectual competencies in workers
creates a context where postbaccalaureate learning and economic
prosperity are inextricably connected.
   (b) Applied doctorate programs bridge the duality between
abstract, theoretical, and intellectual work and the practical
requirements of everyday work and employment.  These programs
construct important connections among communities, employers, and
academia.
   (c) Where the demand for doctoral education is significant and
opportunities for collaboration within California are limited, it may
be possible for California public colleges and universities to
develop more applied joint doctoral programs to meet the increasing
needs of the state's work force.
   (d) These potential collaborations between in-state and
out-of-state institutions may capitalize on complementary resources,
unusual specializations, and existing scholarly ties.
   (e) The opportunity to leverage expertise may present an excellent
opportunity to enhance the education and professional qualifications
of California's students and, ultimately, its work force.
  SEC. 2.  (a) The California Postsecondary Education Commission
shall conduct a study to determine the current capacity for applied
joint doctorates in the state.  The study shall specifically focus on
whether the state is meeting its needs for applied joint doctorates
with its current applied joint doctoral programs.
   (b) While developing the study pursuant to this section, the
commission shall consult with all segments of higher education,
including approved degree-granting institutions, representatives from
business, industry, and professional communities, officials from
state and local governments, and representatives from local
educational agencies, with the intent to qualify and quantify the
value and merit of applied joint doctoral programs to present and
future work force needs.
   (c) Notwithstanding Section 7550.5 of the Government Code, on or
before June 30, 2000, the commission shall complete the study
conducted pursuant to this section and transmit copies of the study
to the Governor and to the appropriate education policy and fiscal
committees of the Legislature.
  SEC. 3.  This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the
meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate
effect.  The facts constituting the necessity are:
   In order for the important study required by Section 2 of this act
to be conducted in a timely manner, it is necessary that this act
take effect immediately.