BILL ANALYSIS
AB 24
Page 1
GOVERNOR'S VETO
AB 24 (Block)
As Amended September 1, 2009
2/3 vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |74-1 |(June 2, 2009) |SENATE: |28-4 |(September 3, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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|ASSEMBLY: |76-2 |(September 9, 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
AB 24
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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
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.
GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE :
"Nothing under current law prohibits the California State
University (CSU) or any other entity to conduct a study
regarding the feasibility of establishing another CSU campus in
Chula Vista. I appreciate the author's intention to plan for
options for the future, and to ensure that any study would be
funded with non-State General Fund dollars. I encourage the
author to work with the CSU system, local and regional entities,
and all other stakeholder groups to see if this objective is
viable. However, a state law mandating such a study is
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unnecessary."
Analysis Prepared by : Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960
FN: 0003297