Postsecondary education: Higher Education Performance, Accountability, and Coordination Commission.

Existing law establishes the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, independent institutions of higher education, and private postsecondary educational institutions as the segments of postsecondary education in this state. Existing law states the intent of the Legislature that budget and policy decisions regarding postsecondary education generally adhere to 3 specified goals and that appropriate metrics be identified, defined, and formally adopted to monitor progress toward the achievement of the goals. Existing law establishes the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) as the statewide postsecondary education coordinating and planning agency, and provides for its functions and responsibilities. Existing law also provides for the composition of CPEC's membership. The annual state Budget Acts from the 2011–12 fiscal year to the 2018–19 fiscal year, inclusive, have provided no funding for CPEC. This bill would establish the Higher Education Performance, Accountability, and Coordination Commission, composed of 5 public members with experience in postsecondary education, appointed as specified, as the statewide postsecondary education oversight, coordination, and planning entity. The bill would require the commission to develop and publish an independent annual report on the condition of higher education in California, as provided. The bill would establish other functions and responsibilities of the commission, which would include specified advisory duties and acting as a clearinghouse for postsecondary education information. The bill would authorize the commission to require the governing boards and institutions of public postsecondary education to submit specified information and student data to the commission on plans and programs, costs, selection and retention of students, enrollments, plant capacities, and other matters pertinent to the commission's functions and responsibilities. To the extent that these provisions would impose new duties on community college districts, the bill would constitute a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Legislative Analyst's Office to report to the Legislature on the performance of the commission on or before January 1, 2025. 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 the statutory provisions noted above.