BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2202
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2202 (Block)
As Amended May 25, 2012
Majority vote
HIGHER EDUCATION 9-0 APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes: |Block, Olsen, Achadjian, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Blumenfield, |
| |Brownley, Fong, | |Bradford, Charles |
| |Galgiani, Lara, Miller, | |Calderon, Campos, Davis, |
| |Portantino | |Gatto, Ammiano, Hill, |
| | | |Lara, Mitchell, Solorio |
| | | | |
|------+-------------------------+-----+---------------------------|
| | |Nays:|Harkey, Donnelly, Nielsen, |
| | | |Norby, Wagner |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) to
conduct and study and make recommendations, by January 1, 2014,
regarding opportunities to expand access to higher education in
underserved areas, including through expanded distance
education, new off-campus centers and campuses, regional
partnerships of existing institutions, and local admissions
guarantees.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, absorbable one-time cost to the LAO for the study.
COMMENTS : Prior to 2011 when its funding was eliminated in the
2011-12 Budget Act, the California Postsecondary Education
Commission (CPEC) was the coordinating entity for postsecondary
education in California, which included review and
recommendation for new public postsecondary institutions or
branches. Currently functions related to campus growth and
planning are not being performed by any higher education
coordinating entity the State of California.
According to the author, our state's impacted higher education
infrastructure has neither the space nor the resources to meet
forecasted population growth. Difficult economic times coupled
with growing demand for higher education has seen California's
AB 2202
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public colleges and universities turning away tens of thousands
of students. The author contends that more should be done to
ensure that California's higher education system reaches those
who are being underserved. This bill will direct the LAO to
conduct a study of how best to expand postsecondary education
access in California.
The LAO is the non-partisan fiscal and policy advisor to the
Legislature and the LAO staff routinely provides assistance and
resources for Legislative offices upon verbal and written
request. The author contends that while the LAO can conduct
studies without a legislative mandate, this bill will ensure
that the subject matter of this bill is appropriately focused
and completed in a timely fashion.
Analysis Prepared by : Sandra Fried / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960
FN: 0003905