Copyright© 2005 by School Services of California, Inc.
Volume 18 For Publication Date: December 2, 2005 No. 24
Chancellor’s
Office’s 2006 State Legislative Program
Prior to the start of a new
legislative session, the Chancellor’s Office solicits legislative proposals
from local community college districts and statewide organizations to develop
its state legislative program. This year, 40 proposals were received from the
field. In collaboration with a task force from the Consultation Council, the
proposals were reviewed and prioritized for consideration by the Board of
Governors. It is anticipated that the Board of Governors will take action on all
or some of the proposals at its December 2005 Board meeting. Chancellor’s
Office staff will then start the process of seeking authors as soon as the
Legislature returns in January 2006.
The following is a summary of
the consensus proposals supported by the task force of the Consultation Council:
1.
Pursue changes to relax restrictions on concurrent enrollment. The task
Force recommends that we should encourage our K-12 partners to take the lead on
this issue.
2.
Seek legislation to reauthorize the Economic and Workforce Development
Program.
3.
Pursue changes to improve the facilities project plan check review
process while maintaining safety standards. Explore using the “Facilities Bond
Act” bill, AB 58 (Nunez, D-
4.
Pursue minor, technical changes to allow for the purchase of offsite
facilities (buildings that substantially meet the Field Act and were constructed
on or after January 1, 1998).
5.
Continue to support legislation that secures the fiscal integrity of the
community college system, such as the property tax backfill and a contingent
appropriation.
6.
Support legislative changes that support the community college system
budget proposal, and defer specific budget changes to the budget task force.
7.
Pursue uniform guidance to address natural disasters and special needs
(details must be reviewed through the community college system process so as to
maintain local authority).
8.
Pursue legislation to give the community college system greater authority
over regulations.
9.
Legislation that appears to violate the community college system’s
legislative principles should not be pursued.
10. Pursue
positions on pending legislation as described in Board of Governors Standing
order 317.
The 2006 legislative session is the second year of the two-year legislative cycle, so all legislation introduced in 2006 must be acted upon that year. The last day for the Legislature to introduce bills is February 24, 2006.
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