BILL ANALYSIS
AB 24
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 24 (Block)
As Amended September 1, 2009
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |74-1 |(June 2, 2009) |SENATE: |28-4 |(September 3, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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Original Committee Reference: HIGHER ED.
SUMMARY : Requires the Chancellor of the California State University
(CSU) to conduct a feasibility study regarding the feasibility of
establishing a CSU satellite program and independent campus at Chula
Vista, requires the CSU Chancellor to complete and submit the study
to the CSU Trustees within 18 months after the date that the
Trustees have certified that sufficient non-state funds are
available to conduct the study.
The Senate amendments provide that if the CSU Trustees determine
there is a need for a campus or satellite program at Chula Vista,
the CSU Trustees shall submit a formal needs study to the California
Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC).
EXISTING LAW establishes legislative intent that sites for new
University of California (UC) or CSU campuses not be authorized
unless recommended by CPEC and requires that all proposals for new
colleges or programs be forwarded to CPEC for review within 60 days
of submission.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY, this bill was substantially similar to
the version passed by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee,
one-time non-state cost of around $600,000 for the feasibility
study, which would include physical and academic planning and
environmental and traffic studies. Development of a new CSU campus
would probably require initial capital outlays of tens of millions
of dollars and at least several million dollars annually in start-up
costs.
COMMENTS : The concept of locating a four-year university in the
City of Chula Vista (City) was introduced in 1993, during the
development of the Otay Ranch land-use plan. Approximately 375
AB 24
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acres, which the City valued at $250-$300 million in June of 2008,
are currently set aside for the project. Over the past several
years, the City and members of the community have worked to recruit
a university to the land. In mid-2005 it was reported that the City
was looking at a multi-school campus model where the schools would
share facilities such as classrooms and a library, and the
institutions could be either public or private. According to the
author, building a CSU campus in Chula Vista would create an option
for tens of thousands of Southern California students who are being
turned away from impacted campuses such as San Diego State
University.
Previous legislation: SCR 92 (Peace), Resolution Chapter 104,
Statutes of 1998, resolved that the Legislature endorse a proposed
City site for possible future use as a UC campus. Subsequently, the
UC Regents moved forward with plans to develop UC Merced; the 1987
statewide needs assessment found the central valley area was in
greatest need for a UC campus. UC Merced opened on September 5,
2005.
Analysis Prepared by : Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960FN: 0002790