BILL NUMBER:  AB 1197
  VETOED	DATE: 09/29/2000




SEP 29 2000

To Members of the California Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill No. 1197 without my signature.

This bill would exempt any person who has filed a petition for lawful
immigration status and meets other specified criteria, from paying
non-resident fees for attending the California Community Colleges,
the California State University, or the University of California.

Pursuant to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant
Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), undocumented aliens are
ineligible to receive postsecondary education benefits based on state
residence unless a citizen or national of the United States would be
eligible for the same benefits without regard to their residence
(Title VIII, Section 1623).

In order for undocumented students to be exempt from paying
non-resident tuition charges as called for in this legislation,
IIRIRA would require that all out-of-state legal residents be
eligible for this same benefit. Based on Fall 1998 enrollment figures
at the University of California and the California State University
alone, this legislation could result in a revenue loss of over $63.7
million to the State.

For the reasons outlined above, I cannot support AB 1197. I believe
the State's priorities and funding must be focused on higher
education attainment for California legal residents, both present and
future.

Sincerely,





GRAY DAVIS