Researcher: JC Page 1 4/3/24
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5363
AN ACT CONCERNING THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR
HIGHER EDUCATION.
SUMMARY
This bill makes several changes to the laws governing the Planning
Commission for Higher Education, which is charged with revising and
updating the 2015 strategic master plan for higher education in
Connecticut.
The bill extends the commission’s reporting deadlines by one year
and requires all initial commission appointments to be made by June 1,
2024. If a voting member is not appointed by this date, the bill allows
the chairperson to designate someone with the required qualification for
the applicable appointment to serve on the commission. The bill
requires the chairperson to schedule the commission’s first meeting by
July 1, 2024.
Current law requires appointed members to serve three-year terms.
The bill requires that they continue to serve until their successor is
appointed. It also specifies that a majority of the membership constitutes
a quorum for transacting business.
The bill eliminates requirements that the commission (1) be in the
Office of Higher Education (OHE), (2) be responsible for implementing
any policies it develops, and (3) collaborate with the Office of Policy and
Management in establishing subcommittees and working groups
needed to supplement its work. It requires the Higher Education and
Employment Advancement Committee’s administrative staff to serve in
that capacity for the commission.
The bill also makes technical and conforming changes. 2024HB-05363-R000236-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JC Page 2 4/3/24
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
REPORTING DEADLINES
The bill requires the commission to submit its:
1. preliminary report on the development of the updated strategic
master plan by September 1, 2025, rather than September 1, 2024,
and
2. updated plan by December 1, 2025, rather than December 1, 2024.
The bill correspondingly requires the plan to include specific goals
and benchmarks for 2026 and 2030, rather than 2025 and 2030.
The bill also delays, from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027, the
deadline for the commission to submit its next annual report to the
governor and legislature on the plan’s implementation and progress
towards achieving its specified goals.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 22 Nay 0 (03/14/2024)