Public postsecondary education: veterans: priority registration.

Existing law, the Donahoe Higher Education Act, sets forth the missions and functions of the public institutions of higher education in the state, which include the California Community Colleges, the California State University, and the University of California. Existing law requires the California State University and each community college district, and requests the University of California, to grant priority registration for enrollment to a member or former member of the Armed Forces of the United States, who is a resident of California, and who has received an honorable discharge, a general discharge, or an other than honorable discharge, and to any member or former member of the State Military Reserve who has not received a specified discharge, for any academic term attended at one of these institutions within 4 years of leaving state or federal active duty. This bill would extend the time period for which those institutions are required and requested to grant priority registration for enrollment from 4 to 15 years of leaving state or federal active duty, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.