BILL NUMBER: AB 2434INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Bonta and Ting FEBRUARY 19, 2016 An act to repeal Section 66010.6 of the Education Code, relating to postsecondary education. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2434, as introduced, Bonta. Postsecondary education: higher education policy. Existing law, the Donahoe Higher Education Act, sets forth the missions and functions of the 4 segments comprising the state's postsecondary education system. These segments are the University of California, administered by the Regents of the University of California, the California State University, administered by the Trustees of the California State University, the California Community Colleges, administered by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, and independent institutions of higher education. A provision of the act sets forth the missions of specified agencies charged with coordination, administration, or implementation of higher education policies and programs. This bill would delete this provision, and would express the intent of the Legislature to explore alternative ways to improve affordability, accessibility, coordination, and development of higher education policy that are consistent with the interest of the people and State of California. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to explore alternative ways to improve affordability, accessibility, coordination, and development of higher education policy that are consistent with the interest of the people and State of California. SEC. 2. Section 66010.6 of the Education Code is repealed.66010.6. The missions of agencies charged with coordination, administration, or implementation of higher education policies and programs in California shall be as follows: (a) The California Postsecondary Education Commission is the statewide postsecondary education coordinating and planning agency. The commission shall serve as a principal fiscal and program advisor to the Governor and the Legislature on postsecondary educational policy. Consistent with Section 66903, the commission's responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Analysis and recommendations related to long-range planning for public postsecondary education. (2) Analysis of state policy and programs involving the independent and private postsecondary educational sectors. (3) Analysis and recommendations related to program and policy review. (4) Resource analysis. (5) Maintenance and publication of pertinent public information relating to all aspects of postsecondary education. The commission shall consult with the postsecondary educational segments and with relevant state agencies, including the Student Aid Commission, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and other relevant parties, in its preparation of analyses and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. However, the commission shall remain an independent and nonpartisan body responsible for providing an integrated and segmentally unbiased view for purposes of state policy formulation and evaluation. (b) The California Student Aid Commission is the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending all segments of postsecondary education. These programs include grant, work study, and loan programs supported by the state and the federal government. Consistent with this responsibility, the Commission shall provide, in consultation with the postsecondary education segments and relevant state agencies, policy leadership on student financial aid issues, evaluate the effectiveness of its programs, conduct research and long-range planning as a foundation for program improvement, report on total state financial aid needs, and disseminate information to students and their families. (c) The Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education is the primary state agency responsible for approving and regulating private postsecondary and vocational educational institutions and for developing state policies for private postsecondary and vocational education in California. The council shall represent the private postsecondary and vocational education institutions in all state level planning and policy discussions about postsecondary and vocational education.