The legislation seeks to maintain the structure of the Every Kid Counts College Savings Program, which plays a pivotal role in assisting families in saving for college. This program acts as a vehicle for the Scholarshare Investment Board's initiative to facilitate a qualified tuition program under the existing framework of the Golden State Scholarshare Trust Act. Although the modifications proposed by AB 2716 are predominantly nonsubstantive in nature, they serve to affirm the commitment of the state to foster higher education savings.
Summary
Assembly Bill 2716, also known as the Every Kid Counts Act, was introduced by Assembly Member Nazarian on February 15, 2018. The primary objective of this bill is to amend Section 99102 of the Government Code pertaining to postsecondary education and to enhance the legal framework governing the college savings program implemented by the Scholarshare Investment Board. The bill emphasizes the significance of incentivizing family participation in educational savings programs, thereby supporting families in preparing financially for their children's higher education.
Contention
While AB 2716 does not appear to introduce major shifts in policy, discussions surrounding postsecondary education funding and college savings programs can often attract varying viewpoints. Stakeholders might raise concerns regarding the adequacy of current incentives or question whether the existing framework sufficiently meets the diverse needs of families across California, particularly in terms of equitable access to educational resources. The absence of significant fiscal committees or appropriations implied by the bill indicates a focus on statutory clarity rather than comprehensive reform.