BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2000
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 22, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Das Williams, Chair
AB 2000 (Gomez) - As Amended: March 17, 2014
SUBJECT : Public postsecondary education: exemption from
nonresident tuition.
SUMMARY : Would allow a student who has attained the equivalent
of three or more years of full-time high school coursework, who
meets other outlined requirements, to qualify for resident fees
and tuition at the University of California (UC), the California
State University (CSU) and California Community Colleges (CCC).
EXISTING LAW qualifies students that meet all of the following
outlined requirements for lower "resident" fee/tuition payments
at the CCC, CSU, and UC:
1)Is a student, other than a nonimmigrant alien within the
meaning of paragraph (15) of subsection (a) of Section 1101 of
Title 8 of the United States Code;
2)Attended high school in California for three or more years;
3)Graduated from a California high school or attainment of
equivalency;
4)Registered as an entering student at, or enrolled at, an
accredited institution of higher education in California not
earlier than the fall semester or quarter of the 2001-02
academic year; and
5)In the case of a person without lawful immigration status,
files an affidavit with the institution of higher education
stating that the student has filed an application to legalize
his or her immigration status, or will file an application as
soon as he or she is eligible to do so.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : As outlined above, students who attend high school
in California for three years, graduate, and meet certain other
criteria may qualify for in-state fees/tuition (AB 540, Chapter
AB 2000
Page 2
814, Statutes of 2001). According to the author, however,
existing law does not consider individuals who finish high
school early, and would otherwise be eligible for these
benefits.
The author notes that in California, high school students can
participate in accelerated learning programs in order to
graduate early. Students that accelerate their learning (e.g.,
through concurrent community college enrollment to obtain high
school credits) and graduate ahead of completing the three-year
high school attendance requirement have been denied AB 540
status.
The author indicates that this bill will ensure that students
are not forced to forego or delay their life goals due to the
strict three year attendance requirement in existing law by
allowing a student who graduates from a California high school
early to qualify under AB 540.
Amendments . Committee staff recommends the following clarifying
amendment:
(1) High school attendance in California for three or more
years, or attainment of credits from a California high school
credits equivalent to three or more years of full-time high
school coursework.
Additionally, the author has proposed amendments to add
coauthors.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles
Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of California
Asian Students Promoting Immigrant Rights through Education Los
Angeles
API Equality-LA
California Communities United Institute
California Immigrant Policy Center
California Immigrant Youth Justic Alliance
Californians Together
AB 2000
Page 3
Central American Resource Center
Chancellor's Office California Community College
Community College League of California
Community Labor Environment Action Network Carwash Coalition
Dream Team Los Angeles
Educators for Fair Consideration
Faculty Association of California Community Colleges
IDEAS at UCLA
Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy
Los Angeles Community College District
Los Angeles Immigrant Youth Coalition
Los Rios Community College District
Mexican American Legal Defense Fund
National Association of Social Workers
National Immigration Law Center
Public Counsel
Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network
South Asian Network
Yosemite Communtiy College Districts
Youth Policy Institute
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960