LCO \\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341-R01- HB.docx 1 of 23 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 5341 February Session, 2024 AN ACT REQUIRING REPORTING OF PROJECTED AND ACTUAL REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Section 10a-77 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 2 (a) Subject to the provisions of section 10a-26, the Board of [Trustees 3 of the Community-Technical Colleges] Regents for Higher Education 4 shall fix fees for tuition at the regional community-technical colleges and 5 shall fix fees for such other purposes as the board deems necessary at 6 the regional community-technical colleges, and may make refunds to 7 the same. 8 (b) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall establish and 9 administer a fund to be known as the Regional Community-Technical 10 Colleges Operating Fund. Appropriations from general revenues of the 11 state and, upon request by the board and with an annual review and 12 approval by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the 13 amount of the appropriations for fringe benefits and workers' 14 compensation applicable to the regional community-technical colleges 15 pursuant to subsection (a) of section 4-73, shall be transferred from the 16 Comptroller, and all tuition revenue received by the regional 17 community-technical colleges in accordance with the provisions of 18 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 2 of 23 subsection (a) of this section shall be deposited in said fund. Income 19 from student fees or related charges; the proceeds of auxiliary activities 20 and business enterprises, gifts and donations; federal funds and grants 21 for purposes other than research, and all receipts derived from the 22 conduct by the colleges of their education extension programs and 23 summer school sessions shall be credited to said fund but shall be 24 allocated to the central office and institutional operating accounts which 25 shall be established and maintained for the central office and each 26 community-technical college. If the Secretary of the Office of Policy and 27 Management disapproves such transfer, the secretary may require the 28 amount of the appropriation for operating expenses to be used for 29 personal services and fringe benefits to be excluded from said fund. The 30 State Treasurer shall review and approve the transfer prior to such 31 request by the board. The board shall establish an equitable policy, in 32 accordance with section 10a-8, for allocation of appropriations from 33 general revenues of the state, fringe benefits transferred from the 34 Comptroller and tuition revenue deposited in the Regional Community-35 Technical Colleges Operating Fund. At the beginning of each quarter of 36 the fiscal year, the board shall allocate and transfer, in accordance with 37 said policy, moneys for expenditure in such institutional operating 38 accounts, exclusive of amounts retained for central office operations and 39 reasonable reserves for future distribution. All costs of waiving or 40 remitting tuition pursuant to subsection (f) of this section shall be 41 charged to the Regional Community-Technical Colleges Operating 42 Fund. Repairs, alterations or additions to facilities supported by 43 operating funds and costing one million dollars or more shall require 44 the approval of the General Assembly, or when the General Assembly 45 is not in session, of the Finance Advisory Committee. Any balance of 46 receipts above expenditures shall remain in said fund, except such sums 47 as may be required for deposit into a debt service fund or the General 48 Fund for further payment by the Treasurer of debt service on general 49 obligation bonds of the state issued for purposes of the regional 50 community-technical colleges. 51 (c) [Commencing December 1, 1984, and thereafter not] (1) Not later 52 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 3 of 23 than sixty days after the close of each quarter, the [board of trustees] 53 Board of Regents for Higher Education shall submit, in accordance with 54 the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the 55 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 56 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, the Office of Higher 57 Education and the Office of Policy and Management a report on the 58 actual expenditures of the Regional Community-Technical Colleges 59 Operating Fund. 60 (2) Not later than August 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Board 61 of Regents for Higher Education shall submit, in accordance with the 62 provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the 63 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 64 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and higher education 65 and employment advancement the actual revenue and expenditures of 66 the Regional Community-Technical Colleges Operating Fund during 67 the prior fiscal year, itemized by the categories specified in subdivision 68 (4) of this subsection. 69 (3) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Board 70 of Regents for Higher Education shall submit, in accordance with the 71 provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the 72 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 73 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and higher education 74 and employment advancement the projected revenue and expenditures 75 of the Regional Community-Technical Colleges Operating Fund for the 76 current fiscal year, itemized by the categories specified in subdivision 77 (4) of this subsection. 78 (4) (A) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall categorize 79 the actual and projected revenue of the Regional Community-Technical 80 Colleges Operating Fund by state support and other sources of revenue. 81 Under the state support category, the board shall itemize revenue by (i) 82 ongoing state support, (ii) funds allocated for said fund from the federal 83 funds designated for the state pursuant to the American Rescue Plan 84 Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2, if any, (iii) deficiency funding, (iv) state-paid 85 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 4 of 23 fringe benefits, and (v) any other category of funding from the state. 86 Under the other sources of revenue category, the board shall itemize 87 revenue by (I) tuition, (II) fees, (III) federal funds, grants and contracts, 88 (IV) foundation and endowment funds, (V) sales and services, (VI) 89 auxiliary enterprises, and (VII) any other category of revenue from other 90 sources. 91 (B) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall itemize the 92 actual and projected expenditures of the Regional Community-93 Technical Colleges Operating Fund by (i) personal services, (ii) fringe 94 benefits, (iii) energy, (iv) equipment, (v) student financial aid, (vi) debt 95 service and other projects or transfers, and (vii) any other category of 96 expenditure. 97 (d) [Said board of trustees] The Board of Regents for Higher 98 Education shall waive the payment of tuition at any of the regional 99 community-technical colleges (1) for any dependent child of a person 100 whom the armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing 101 in action or to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed 102 forces after January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission 103 to such institution and is a resident of the state at the time such child is 104 accepted for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the provisions 105 of subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27-106 103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, 107 except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall 108 not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, 109 which veteran has been accepted for admission to such institution and 110 is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for 111 admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two 112 years of age or older, provided, at the end of the regular registration 113 period, there are enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students 114 other than those residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this 115 subdivision to offer the course in which such resident intends to enroll 116 and there is space available in such course after accommodating all such 117 students, (4) for any student attending the Connecticut State Police 118 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 5 of 23 Academy who is enrolled in a law enforcement program at said 119 academy offered in coordination with a regional community-technical 120 college which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) for any active 121 member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has 122 been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's 123 designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled 124 or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time or part-time 125 basis in an undergraduate degree-granting program, (6) for any 126 dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or 127 supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined in 128 section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal 129 employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in 130 the line of duty, (7) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child 131 or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a resident of 132 this state, (8) for any dependent child of a resident of the state who was 133 killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of Routes 44 and 134 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, and (9) for any resident of 135 the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a person who 136 was killed in action while performing active military duty with the 137 armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001, and 138 who was a resident of this state. If any person who receives a tuition 139 waiver in accordance with the provisions of this subsection also receives 140 educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver shall be 141 reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursement. Veterans 142 and members of the National Guard described in subdivision (5) of this 143 subsection shall be given the same status as students not receiving 144 tuition waivers in registering for courses at regional community-145 technical colleges. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10a-30, as 146 used in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" includes domicile for 147 less than one year. 148 (e) (1) If any veteran described in subsection (d) of this section has 149 applied for federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans 150 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the [board of trustees] Board of 151 Regents for Higher Education shall waive the payment of tuition at any 152 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 6 of 23 of the regional community-technical colleges for such veteran in 153 accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection. If any such veteran 154 certifies to said board that such veteran's application for such federal 155 educational assistance has been denied or withdrawn, said board [of 156 trustees] shall waive the payment of tuition in accordance with 157 subsection (d) of this section. 158 (2) (A) For purposes of this subdivision, "veteran tuition benefit" 159 means the portion of federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 160 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 to be paid to a regional 161 community-technical college on behalf of a veteran that represents 162 payment for tuition. Such portion shall be calculated by multiplying (i) 163 the total amount of such federal educational assistance to be paid to a 164 regional community-technical college on behalf of such veteran by (ii) 165 an amount obtained by dividing (I) the actual tuition charged by such 166 college to such veteran by (II) the sum of the actual tuition and fees 167 charged by such college to such veteran. 168 (B) Said board [of trustees] shall waive the payment of tuition in 169 excess of the veteran tuition benefit at any of the regional community-170 technical colleges for such veteran. 171 (f) Said board shall set aside from its anticipated regional community-172 technical college tuition revenue, an amount not less than that required 173 by said board's tuition policy. Such funds shall be used to provide 174 tuition waivers, tuition remissions, grants for educational expenses and 175 student employment for residents enrolled in regional community-176 technical colleges as full or part-time matriculated students in a degree-177 granting program, or enrolled in a precollege remedial program, who 178 demonstrate substantial financial need. Said board may also set aside 179 from its anticipated tuition revenue an additional amount equal to one 180 per cent of said tuition revenue for financial assistance for students who 181 would not otherwise be eligible for financial assistance but who do have 182 a financial need as determined by the college in accordance with this 183 subsection. In determining such financial need, the college shall exclude 184 the value of equity in the principal residence of the student's parents or 185 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 7 of 23 legal guardians, or in the student's principal residence if the student is 186 not considered to be a dependent of [his] such student's parents or legal 187 guardians and shall assess the earnings of a dependent student at the 188 rate of thirty per cent. 189 (g) The Regional Community-Technical Colleges Operating Fund 190 shall be reimbursed for the amount by which the tuition waivers 191 granted under subsection (d) of this section exceed five per cent of 192 tuition revenue through an annual state appropriation. The [board of 193 trustees] Board of Regents for Higher Education shall request such an 194 appropriation and said appropriation shall be based upon an estimate 195 of tuition revenue loss using tuition rates in effect for the fiscal year in 196 which such appropriation will apply. 197 (h) Said board [of trustees] shall allow any student who is a member 198 of the armed forces called to active duty during any semester to enroll 199 in any course for which such student had remitted tuition but which 200 was not completed due to active duty status. Such course reenrollment 201 shall be offered to any qualifying student for a period not exceeding four 202 years after the date of release from active duty without additional 203 tuition, student fee or related charge, except if such student has been 204 fully reimbursed for the tuition, fees and charges for the course that was 205 not completed. 206 (i) [The Board of Regents for Higher Education] Said board shall not 207 assess or charge a graduation fee to any student enrolled in a regional 208 community-technical college for the purpose of graduating from such 209 regional community-technical college. 210 Sec. 2. Section 10a-99 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes 211 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 212 1, 2024): 213 (a) Subject to the provisions of section 10a-26, the Board of [Trustees 214 of the Connecticut State University System] Regents for Higher 215 Education shall fix fees for tuition and [shall fix fees] for such other 216 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 8 of 23 purposes as the board deems necessary at the [university] Connecticut 217 State University System, and may make refunds of the same. 218 (b) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall establish and 219 administer a fund to be known as the Connecticut State University 220 System Operating Fund. Appropriations from general revenues of the 221 state and upon request by the Connecticut State University System and 222 with the annual review and approval by the Secretary of the Office of 223 Policy and Management, the amount of the appropriations for fringe 224 benefits pursuant to subsection (a) of section 4-73, shall be transferred 225 from the State Comptroller and all tuition revenue received by the 226 Connecticut State University System in accordance with the provisions 227 of subsection (a) of this section shall be deposited in said fund. Income 228 from student fees or related charges, the proceeds of auxiliary activities 229 and business enterprises, gifts and donations, federal funds and grants, 230 subject to the provisions of sections 10a-98 to 10a-98g, inclusive, and all 231 receipts derived from the conduct by a state university of its education 232 extension program and its summer school session shall be credited to 233 said fund but shall be allocated to the central office and institutional 234 operating accounts which shall be established and maintained for the 235 central office and each state university. Any such gifts and donations, 236 federal funds and grants for purposes of research shall be allocated to 237 separate accounts within such central office and institutional operating 238 accounts. If the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management 239 disapproves such transfer, the secretary may require the amount of the 240 appropriation for operating expenses to be used for personal services 241 and fringe benefits to be excluded from said fund. The State Treasurer 242 shall review and approve the transfer prior to such request by the 243 university. The board shall establish an equitable policy, in accordance 244 with section 10a-8, for allocation of appropriations from general 245 revenues of the state, fringe benefits transferred from the State 246 Comptroller and tuition revenue deposited in the Connecticut State 247 University System Operating Fund. At the beginning of each quarter of 248 the fiscal year, the board shall allocate and transfer, in accordance with 249 said policy, moneys for expenditure in such institutional operating 250 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 9 of 23 accounts, exclusive of amounts retained for central office operations and 251 reasonable reserves for future distribution. All costs of waiving or 252 remitting tuition pursuant to subsection (f) of this section shall be 253 charged to the Connecticut State University System Operating Fund. 254 Repairs, alterations or additions to facilities supported by the 255 Connecticut State University System Operating Fund and costing one 256 million dollars or more shall require the approval of the General 257 Assembly, or when the General Assembly is not in session, of the 258 Finance Advisory Committee. Any balance of receipts above 259 expenditures shall remain in said fund, except such sums as may be 260 required for deposit into a debt service fund or the General Fund for 261 further payment by the Treasurer of debt service on general obligation 262 bonds of the state issued for purposes of the Connecticut State 263 University System. 264 (c) [Commencing December 1, 1984, and thereafter not] (1) Not later 265 than sixty days after the close of each quarter, the [board of trustees] 266 Board of Regents for Higher Education shall submit, in accordance with 267 the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the 268 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 269 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, the Office of Higher 270 Education and the Office of Policy and Management a report on the 271 actual expenditures of the Connecticut State University System 272 Operating Fund. 273 (2) Not later than August 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Board 274 of Regents for Higher Education shall submit, in accordance with the 275 provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the 276 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 277 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and higher education 278 and employment advancement the actual revenue and expenditures of 279 the Connecticut State University System Operating Fund during the 280 prior fiscal year, itemized by the categories specified in subdivision (4) 281 of this subsection. 282 (3) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Board 283 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 10 of 23 of Regents for Higher Education shall submit, in accordance with the 284 provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the 285 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 286 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and higher education 287 and employment advancement the projected revenue and expenditures 288 of the Connecticut State University System Operating Fund for the 289 current fiscal year, itemized by the categories specified in subdivision 290 (4) of this subsection. 291 (4) (A) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall categorize 292 the actual and projected revenue of the Connecticut State University 293 System Operating Fund by state support and other sources of revenue. 294 Under the state support category, the board shall itemize revenue by (i) 295 ongoing state support, (ii) funds allocated for said fund from the federal 296 funds designated for the state pursuant to the American Rescue Plan 297 Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2 if any, (iii) deficiency funding, (iv) state-paid 298 fringe benefits, and (v) any other category of funding from the state. 299 Under the other sources of revenue category, the board shall itemize 300 revenue by (I) tuition, (II) fees, (III) federal funds, grants and contracts, 301 (IV) foundation and endowment funds, (V) sales and services, (VI) 302 auxiliary enterprises, and (VII) any other category of revenue from other 303 sources. 304 (B) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall itemize the 305 actual and projected expenditures of the Connecticut State University 306 System Operating Fund by (i) personal services, (ii) fringe benefits, (iii) 307 energy, (iv) equipment, (v) student financial aid, (vi) debt service and 308 other projects or transfers, and (vii) any other category of expenditure. 309 (d) Said board shall waive the payment of tuition fees for 310 undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the Connecticut State 311 University System (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the 312 armed forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or 313 to have been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after 314 January 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to such 315 institution and is a resident of the state at the time such child is accepted 316 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 11 of 23 for admission to such institution, (2) subject to the provisions of 317 subsection (e) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27-318 103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, 319 except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall 320 not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, 321 which veteran has been accepted for admission to such institution and 322 is domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for 323 admission to such institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two 324 years of age or older who has been accepted for admission to such 325 institution, provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-granting 326 program, or (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are 327 enrolled in the course a sufficient number of students other than those 328 residents eligible for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the 329 course in which such resident intends to enroll and there is space 330 available in such course after accommodating all such students, (4) for 331 any student attending the Connecticut Police Academy who is enrolled 332 in a law enforcement program at said academy offered in coordination 333 with the university which accredits courses taken in such program, (5) 334 for any active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard 335 who (A) has been certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant 336 General's designee as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) 337 is enrolled or accepted for admission to such institution on a full-time 338 or part-time basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting 339 program, (6) for any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined 340 in section 7-294a, or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) 341 firefighter, as defined in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire 342 company, (C) municipal employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in 343 section 5-154, killed in the line of duty, (7) for any resident of this state 344 who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist 345 victim who was a resident of the state, (8) for any dependent child of a 346 resident of the state who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the 347 intersection of Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, 348 and (9) for any resident of the state who is a dependent child or 349 surviving spouse of a person who was killed in action while performing 350 active military duty with the armed forces of the United States on or 351 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 12 of 23 after September 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state. If any 352 person who receives a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions 353 of this subsection also receives educational reimbursement from an 354 employer, such waiver shall be reduced by the amount of such 355 educational reimbursement. Veterans and members of the National 356 Guard described in subdivision (5) of this subsection shall be given the 357 same status as students not receiving tuition waivers in registering for 358 courses at Connecticut state universities. Notwithstanding the 359 provisions of section 10a-30, as used in this subsection, "domiciled in 360 this state" includes domicile for less than one year. 361 (e) (1) If any veteran described in subsection (d) of this section has 362 applied for federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans 363 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the [board of trustees] Board of 364 Regents for Higher Education shall waive the payment of tuition at the 365 Connecticut State University System for such veteran in accordance 366 with subdivision (2) of this subsection. If any such veteran certifies to 367 said board that such veteran's application for such federal educational 368 assistance has been denied or withdrawn, said board [of trustees] shall 369 waive the payment of tuition in accordance with subsection (d) of this 370 section. 371 (2) (A) For purposes of this subdivision, "veteran tuition benefit" 372 means the portion of federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 373 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 to be paid to the 374 Connecticut State University System on behalf of a veteran that 375 represents payment for tuition. Such portion shall be calculated by 376 multiplying (i) the total amount of such federal educational assistance 377 to be paid to the Connecticut State University System on behalf of such 378 veteran by (ii) an amount obtained by dividing (I) the actual tuition 379 charged by the Connecticut State University System to such veteran by 380 (II) the sum of the actual tuition and fees charged by the Connecticut 381 State University System to such veteran. 382 (B) Said board [of trustees] shall waive the payment of tuition in 383 excess of the veteran tuition benefit at the Connecticut State University 384 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 13 of 23 System for such veteran. 385 (f) Said board shall set aside from its anticipated tuition revenue, an 386 amount not less than that required by the [board of governors'] tuition 387 policy established under subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 10a-388 6. Such funds shall be used to provide tuition waivers, tuition 389 remissions, grants for educational expenses and student employment 390 for any undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled as a full or 391 part-time matriculated student in a degree-granting program, or 392 enrolled in a precollege remedial program, and who demonstrates 393 substantial financial need. Said board may also set aside from its 394 anticipated tuition revenue an additional amount equal to one per cent 395 of said tuition revenue for financial assistance for students who would 396 not otherwise be eligible for financial assistance but who do have a 397 financial need as determined by the state university within the 398 Connecticut State University System in accordance with this subsection. 399 In determining such financial need, the university shall exclude the 400 value of equity in the principal residence of the student's parents or legal 401 guardians, or in the student's principal residence if the student is not 402 considered to be a dependent of [his] such student's parents or legal 403 guardians and shall assess the earnings of a dependent student at the 404 rate of thirty per cent. 405 (g) The Connecticut State University System Operating Fund shall be 406 reimbursed for the amount by which the tuition waivers granted under 407 subsection (d) of this section exceed two and one-half per cent of tuition 408 revenue through an annual state appropriation. The [board of trustees] 409 Board of Regents for Higher Education shall request such an 410 appropriation and said appropriation shall be based upon an estimate 411 of tuition revenue loss using tuition rates in effect for the fiscal year in 412 which such appropriation will apply. 413 (h) Said board [of trustees] shall allow any student who is a member 414 of the armed forces called to active duty during any semester to enroll 415 in any course for which such student had remitted tuition but which 416 was not completed due to active duty status. Such course reenrollment 417 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 14 of 23 shall be offered to any qualifying student for a period not exceeding four 418 years after the date of release from active duty without additional 419 tuition, student fee or related charge, except if such student has been 420 fully reimbursed for the tuition, fees and charges for the course that was 421 not completed. 422 (i) [The Board of Regents for Higher Education] Said board shall not 423 assess or charge a graduation fee to any student enrolled in the 424 Connecticut State University System for the purpose of graduating from 425 a state university within such system. 426 Sec. 3. Subsection (f) of section 10a-143 of the general statutes is 427 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 428 2024): 429 (f) (1) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall establish and 430 administer a fund to be known as the Board of Regents for Higher 431 Education for Charter Oak State College Operating Fund, which shall 432 be a separate account within the General Fund. The operating fund shall 433 be used for the expenses of Charter Oak State College, including 434 personnel expenses and equipment, and for the support of college 435 activities pursuant to this section, including validation and evaluation 436 of learning, guidance and public information services, projects of 437 research and development for the improvement of learning materials 438 and the technology of delivery systems, and for the purchase of such 439 services, materials and equipment as are required for use in connection 440 with said activities. Appropriations from general revenues of the state, 441 all fees and proceeds of the board's activities on behalf of Charter Oak 442 State College, including grants and donations, not required by statute 443 or regulation to be deposited to the credit of the General Fund, shall be 444 credited to and become a part of the resources of said operating fund. 445 Any balance of receipts above expenditures shall remain in said 446 operating fund. Not later than sixty days after the close of each quarter, 447 the Board of Regents for Higher Education shall submit, in accordance 448 with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of 449 the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 450 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 15 of 23 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, the Office of Higher 451 Education and the Office of Policy and Management a report on the 452 actual expenditures of the Board of Regents for Higher Education for 453 Charter Oak State College Operating Fund. 454 (2) Not later than August 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Board 455 of Regents for Higher Education shall submit, in accordance with the 456 provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the 457 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 458 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and higher education 459 and employment advancement the actual revenue and expenditures of 460 the Board of Regents for Higher Education for Charter Oak State College 461 Operating Fund during the prior fiscal year, itemized by the categories 462 specified in subdivision (4) of this subsection. 463 (3) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Board 464 of Regents for Higher Education shall submit, in accordance with the 465 provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the 466 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 467 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and higher education 468 and employment advancement the projected revenue and expenditures 469 of the Board of Regents for Higher Education for Charter Oak State 470 College Operating Fund for the current fiscal year, itemized by the 471 categories specified in subdivision (4) of this subsection. 472 (4) (A) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall categorize 473 the actual and projected revenue of the Board of Regents for Higher 474 Education for Charter Oak State College Operating Fund by state 475 support and other sources of revenue. Under the state support category, 476 the board shall itemize revenue by (i) ongoing state support, (ii) funds 477 allocated for said fund from the federal funds designated for the state 478 pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2, if any, (iii) 479 deficiency funding, (iv) state-paid fringe benefits, and (v) any other 480 category of funding from the state. Under the other sources of revenue 481 category, the board shall itemize revenue by (I) tuition, (II) fees, (III) 482 federal funds, grants and contracts, (IV) foundation and endowment 483 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 16 of 23 funds, (V) sales and services, (VI) auxiliary enterprises, and (VII) any 484 other category of revenue from other sources. 485 (B) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall itemize the 486 actual and projected expenditures of the Board of Regents for Higher 487 Education for Charter Oak State College Operating Fund by (i) personal 488 services, (ii) fringe benefits, (iii) energy, (iv) equipment, (v) student 489 financial aid, (vi) debt service and other projects or transfers, and (vii) 490 any other category of expenditure. 491 Sec. 4. Section 10a-105 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes 492 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 493 1, 2024): 494 (a) Subject to the provisions of sections 10a-8 and 10a-26, the Board of 495 Trustees of The University of Connecticut shall fix fees for tuition and 496 [shall fix fees] for such other purposes as the board deems necessary at 497 The University of Connecticut, and may make refunds of the same. 498 (b) The Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut shall 499 establish and administer a fund to be known as The University of 500 Connecticut Operating Fund, and in addition, may establish a Special 501 External Gift Fund, and an endowment fund, as defined in section 10a-502 109c, and such other funds as may be established pursuant to 503 subdivision (13) of subsection (a) of section 10a-109d. Appropriations 504 from general revenues of the state and, upon request by the university 505 and with an annual review and approval by the Secretary of the Office 506 of Policy and Management, the amount of the appropriations for fringe 507 benefits and workers' compensation applicable to the university 508 pursuant to subsection (a) of section 4-73, shall be transferred from the 509 Comptroller, and all tuition revenue received by the university in 510 accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, income 511 from student fees or related charges, the proceeds of auxiliary activities 512 and business enterprises, gifts and donations, federal funds and grants 513 for purposes other than research and all receipts derived from the 514 conduct by The University of Connecticut of its education extension 515 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 17 of 23 program and its summer school session, except funds received by The 516 University of Connecticut Health Center, shall be deposited in said 517 operating fund. If the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management 518 disapproves such transfer, he may require the amount of the 519 appropriation for operating expenses to be used for personal services 520 and fringe benefits to be excluded from said fund. The State Treasurer 521 shall review and approve the transfer prior to such request by the 522 university. All costs of waiving or remitting tuition pursuant to 523 subsection (g) of this section, except the cost of waiving or remitting 524 tuition for students enrolled in the schools of medicine or dental 525 medicine, shall be charged to said fund. Repairs, alterations or additions 526 to facilities supported by said fund costing one million dollars or more 527 shall require the approval of the General Assembly, or when the General 528 Assembly is not in session, of the Finance Advisory Committee. Any 529 balance of receipts above expenditures shall remain in said fund, except 530 such sums as may be required for deposit into a debt service fund or the 531 General Fund for further payment by the Treasurer of debt service on 532 general obligation bonds of the state issued for purposes of The 533 University of Connecticut. 534 (c) The Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut shall 535 establish and administer a fund to be known as The University of 536 Connecticut Health Center Operating Fund. Appropriations from 537 general revenues of the state except the amount of the appropriation for 538 operating expenses to be used for personal services and the 539 appropriations for fringe benefits pursuant to subsection (a) of section 540 4-73, all tuition revenue received by the health center in accordance with 541 the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, income from student fees 542 or related charges, proceeds from auxiliary and business enterprises, 543 gifts and donations, federal funds and grants for purposes other than 544 research and other income relative to these activities shall be deposited 545 in said fund. All costs of waiving or remitting tuition pursuant to 546 subsection (g) of this section for students enrolled in the schools of 547 medicine or dental medicine shall be charged to said fund. Repairs, 548 alterations or additions to facilities supported by said fund costing one 549 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 18 of 23 million dollars or more shall require the approval of the General 550 Assembly, or when the General Assembly is not in session, of the 551 Finance Advisory Committee. Any balance of receipts above 552 expenditures shall remain in said fund, except such sums as may be 553 required for deposit into a debt service fund or the General Fund for 554 further payment by the Treasurer of debt service on general obligation 555 bonds of the state issued for purposes of The University of Connecticut 556 Health Center. 557 (d) [Commencing December 1, 1981, and thereafter not] (1) Not later 558 than sixty days after the close of each quarter, the board of trustees shall 559 submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint 560 standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 561 matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, the 562 Office of Higher Education and the Office of Policy and Management a 563 report on the actual expenditures of The University of Connecticut 564 Operating Fund and The University of Connecticut Health Center 565 Operating Fund containing such relevant information as the Office of 566 Policy and Management may require. [in the form prescribed by the 567 board of regents in accordance with subsection (a) of section 10a-8.] 568 (2) Not later than August 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Board 569 of Trustees of The University of Connecticut shall submit, in accordance 570 with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of 571 the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 572 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and higher education 573 and employment advancement the actual revenue and expenditures of 574 The University of Connecticut Operating Fund and The University of 575 Connecticut Health Center Operating Fund during the prior fiscal year, 576 itemized by the categories specified in subdivision (4) of this subsection. 577 (3) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Board 578 of Trustees of The University of Connecticut shall submit, in accordance 579 with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of 580 the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 581 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and higher education 582 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 19 of 23 and employment advancement the projected revenue and expenditures 583 of The University of Connecticut Operating Fund and The University of 584 Connecticut Health Center Operating Fund for the current fiscal year, 585 itemized by the categories specified in subdivision (4) of this subsection. 586 (4) (A) The Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut shall 587 categorize the actual and projected revenue of The University of 588 Connecticut Operating Fund and The University of Connecticut Health 589 Center Operating Fund by state support and other sources of revenue. 590 Under the state support category, the board shall itemize revenue by (i) 591 ongoing state support, (ii) funds allocated for said fund from the federal 592 funds designated for the state pursuant to the American Rescue Plan 593 Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2, if any, (iii) deficiency funding, (iv) state-paid 594 fringe benefits, and (v) any other category of funding from the state. 595 Under the other sources of revenue category, the board shall itemize 596 revenue by (I) tuition, (II) fees, (III) federal funds, grants and contracts, 597 (IV) foundation and endowment funds, (V) sales and services, (VI) 598 auxiliary enterprises, and (VII) any other category of revenue from other 599 sources. 600 (B) The Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut shall 601 itemize the actual and projected expenditures of The University of 602 Connecticut Operating Fund and The University of Connecticut Health 603 Center Operating Fund by (i) personal services, (ii) fringe benefits, (iii) 604 energy, (iv) equipment, (v) student financial aid, (vi) debt service and 605 other projects or transfers, and (vii) any other category of expenditure. 606 (e) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition fees for 607 any undergraduate or graduate degree program at The University of 608 Connecticut (1) for any dependent child of a person whom the armed 609 forces of the United States has declared to be missing in action or to have 610 been a prisoner of war while serving in such armed forces after January 611 1, 1960, which child has been accepted for admission to The University 612 of Connecticut and is a resident of the state at the time such child is 613 accepted for admission to said institution, (2) subject to the provisions 614 of subsection (f) of this section, for any veteran, as defined in section 27-615 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 20 of 23 103, who performed service in time of war, as defined in section 27-103, 616 except that for purposes of this subsection, "service in time of war" shall 617 not include time spent in attendance at a military service academy, 618 which veteran has been accepted for admission to said institution and is 619 domiciled in this state at the time such veteran is accepted for admission 620 to said institution, (3) for any resident of the state sixty-two years of age 621 or older who has been accepted for admission to said institution, 622 provided (A) such resident is enrolled in a degree-granting program, or 623 (B) at the end of the regular registration period, there are enrolled in the 624 course a sufficient number of students other than those residents eligible 625 for waivers pursuant to this subdivision to offer the course in which 626 such resident intends to enroll and there is space available in such 627 course after accommodating all such students, (4) for any active member 628 of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard who (A) has been 629 certified by the Adjutant General or such Adjutant General's designee 630 as a member in good standing of the guard, and (B) is enrolled or 631 accepted for admission to said institution on a full-time or part-time 632 basis in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, (5) for 633 any dependent child of a (A) police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, 634 or supernumerary or auxiliary police officer, (B) firefighter, as defined 635 in section 7-323j, or member of a volunteer fire company, (C) municipal 636 employee, or (D) state employee, as defined in section 5-154, killed in 637 the line of duty, (6) for any resident of the state who is the dependent 638 child or surviving spouse of a specified terrorist victim who was a 639 resident of the state, (7) for any dependent child of a resident of the state 640 who was killed in a multivehicle crash at or near the intersection of 641 Routes 44 and 10 and Nod Road in Avon on July 29, 2005, and (8) for 642 any resident of the state who is a dependent child or surviving spouse 643 of a person who was killed in action while performing active military 644 duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 645 11, 2001, and who was a resident of this state. If any person who receives 646 a tuition waiver in accordance with the provisions of this subsection also 647 receives educational reimbursement from an employer, such waiver 648 shall be reduced by the amount of such educational reimbursement. 649 Veterans and members of the National Guard described in subdivision 650 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 21 of 23 (4) of this subsection shall be given the same status as students not 651 receiving tuition waivers in registering for courses at The University of 652 Connecticut. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10a-30, as used 653 in this subsection, "domiciled in this state" includes domicile for less 654 than one year. 655 (f) (1) If any veteran described in subsection (e) of this section has 656 applied for federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Veterans 657 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the board of trustees shall waive the 658 payment of tuition at The University of Connecticut for such veteran in 659 accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection. If any such veteran 660 certifies to said board that such veteran's application for such federal 661 educational assistance has been denied or withdrawn, said board of 662 trustees shall waive the payment of tuition in accordance with 663 subsection [(d)] (e) of this section. 664 (2) (A) For purposes of this subdivision, "veteran tuition benefit" 665 means the portion of federal educational assistance under the Post-9/11 666 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 to be paid to The 667 University of Connecticut on behalf of a veteran that represents 668 payment for tuition. Such portion shall be calculated by multiplying (i) 669 the total amount of such federal educational assistance to be paid to The 670 University of Connecticut on behalf of such veteran by (ii) an amount 671 obtained by dividing (I) the actual tuition charged by The University of 672 Connecticut to such veteran by (II) the sum of the actual tuition and fees 673 charged by The University of Connecticut to such veteran. 674 (B) Said board of trustees shall waive the payment of tuition in excess 675 of the veteran tuition benefit at The University of Connecticut for such 676 veteran. 677 (g) Said board of trustees shall set aside from its anticipated tuition 678 revenue, an amount not less than that required by [the board of 679 governors'] said board's tuition policy. [established under subdivision 680 (3) of subsection (a) of section 10a-6.] Such funds shall be used to 681 provide tuition waivers, tuition remissions, grants for educational 682 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 22 of 23 expenses and student employment for any undergraduate, graduate or 683 professional student who is enrolled as a full or part-time matriculated 684 student in a degree-granting program, or enrolled in a precollege 685 remedial program, and who demonstrates substantial financial need. 686 Said board may also set aside from its anticipated tuition revenue an 687 additional amount equal to one per cent of said tuition revenue for 688 financial assistance for students who would not otherwise be eligible for 689 financial assistance but who do have a financial need as determined by 690 the university in accordance with this subsection. In determining such 691 financial need, the university shall exclude the value of equity in the 692 principal residence of the student's parents or legal guardians, or in the 693 student's principal residence if the student is not considered to be a 694 dependent of [his] such student's parents or legal guardians and shall 695 assess the earnings of a dependent student at the rate of thirty per cent. 696 (h) The University of Connecticut Operating Fund shall be 697 reimbursed for the amount by which tuition waivers granted under 698 subsection (e) of this section exceed two and one-half per cent of tuition 699 revenue through an annual state appropriation. The board of trustees 700 shall request such an appropriation and said appropriation shall be 701 based upon an estimate of tuition revenue loss using tuition rates in 702 effect for the fiscal year in which such appropriation will apply. 703 (i) Said board of trustees shall grant remission or waiver of tuition for 704 graduate assistants at the university. Assistantship payments to 705 graduate assistants shall not be considered salaries and wages under the 706 provisions of section 3-119, and shall be paid according to a schedule 707 prescribed by the university and approved by the State Comptroller. 708 (j) Said board of trustees may provide health care coverage for 709 graduate assistants, postdoctoral trainees, graduate fellows and 710 graduate student interns identified in subdivision (6) of section 3-123aaa 711 by enrolling such individuals in a partnership plan as defined in section 712 3-123aaa. All premiums and expenses resulting from the participation 713 of such individuals in the partnership plan shall be paid by the 714 university. No such premiums or expenses shall be charged to the 715 Substitute Bill No. 5341 LCO {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05341- R01-HB.docx } 23 of 23 General Fund. 716 (k) Said board of trustees shall allow any student who is a member of 717 the armed forces called to active duty during any semester to enroll in 718 any course for which such student had remitted tuition but which was 719 not completed due to active duty status. Such course reenrollment shall 720 be offered to any qualifying student for a period not exceeding four 721 years after the date of release from active duty without additional 722 tuition, student fee or related charge, except if such student has been 723 fully reimbursed for the tuition, fees and charges for the course that was 724 not completed. 725 (l) [The Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut] Said 726 board of trustees shall not assess or charge a graduation fee to any 727 student enrolled in The University of Connecticut for the purpose of 728 graduating from such university. 729 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 July 1, 2024 10a-77 Sec. 2 July 1, 2024 10a-99 Sec. 3 July 1, 2024 10a-143(f) Sec. 4 July 1, 2024 10a-105 Statement of Legislative Commissioners: In Sections 1(i) and 2(i), "The Board of Regents for Higher Education" was bracketed and "Said board" was inserted after the closing bracket for consistency; and in Section 4(l), "The Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut" was bracketed and "Said board of trustees" was inserted after the closing bracket for consistency. HED Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO