Public postsecondary education: student fee policy.

Existing law, known as the Donahoe Higher Education Act, provides for a public postsecondary education system in this state. This system consists of the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges. Existing law authorizes these institutions to require that mandatory systemwide fees, among other fees, be paid by students at these institutions. The provisions of the Donahoe Higher Education Act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California act by resolution to make them applicable. This bill would prohibit any increase in the mandatory systemwide fees charged to a resident undergraduate student enrolled in the University of California or the California State University adopted on or after July 1, 2012, from being effective before 3 months have elapsed after the date on which the fee increase is adopted. The bill would also require the regents and the Trustees of the California State University to develop methodologies for the adjustment of fees in accordance with a prescribed procedure. The bill, commencing with the 2012–13 academic year, would require the Legislative Analyst's Office to annually review, and report to the Legislature, its findings, conclusions, or recommendations regarding the implementation of policies implemented pursuant to the bill. This bill would provide that its provisions would not apply to the University of California, except to the extent that the regents adopt a resolution making them applicable. The bill would request the regents to adopt policies that are consistent with this bill. These provisions would become operative on July 1, 2012.