74000.5.
(a) The Legislative Analyst’s Office shall conduct a study and prepare a report evaluating the provision of postsecondary education services and opportunities to residents of the underserved Counties of Amador, Alpine, Mariposa, Modoc, and Sierra that are not fully included within the territory of a community college district. The report shall include policy recommendations regarding how the state can ensure that residents of these five counties have opportunities to participate in both in-person and online postsecondary education programs and courses equivalent to those of similarly sized communities that are fully
included within the territory of a community college district.(b) The report and recommendations required by subdivision (a) shall include consideration of all of the following:
(1) An analysis of the educational and economic impacts of the existing deficit of community college services and opportunities in the five underserved counties identified in subdivision (a), and the potential benefits of providing equivalent opportunities to these communities.
(2) An analysis of the current availability of, and opportunities to strengthen, dual enrollment and transfer pathways.
(3) Identification of outreach and recruitment services in the five underserved counties identified in subdivision (a) by public and private postsecondary educational institutions, and
collaborations that are operating or in process to expand access to postsecondary education programs and services in other parts of the state.
(4) Identification of potential providers of both in-person and online postsecondary education programs and services within the five underserved counties identified in subdivision (a), and options for implementing those programs and services.
(5) Identification of opportunities and resources needed to provide in-person postsecondary education programs and courses in locations reasonably accessible to a majority of residents of the five underserved counties identified in subdivision (a).
(6) Identification of opportunities for partnership with local educational agencies, public and private postsecondary educational institutions, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to
facilitate expanded community college opportunities to serve the residents of the five underserved counties identified in subdivision (a).
(7) An analysis of resource needs and potential funding sources for expanding postsecondary education services and opportunities to the residents of the five underserved counties identified in subdivision (a).
(8) Identification of potential legislative and administrative actions that may be taken to ensure that residents of the five counties identified in subdivision (a) have opportunities to participate in both in-person and online postsecondary education programs and courses equivalent to those of similarly sized communities that are fully included within the territory of a community college district.
(c) For purposes of this section, the Legislative Analyst’s Office may
request and receive, but not require, information from the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, the State Department of Education, any community college district, the office of the Chancellor of the California State University, the office of the President of the University of California, or any organization representing independent institutions of higher education in the state.
(d) To assist with and inform the development of the report and recommendations required by this section, the Legislative Analyst’s Office shall convene and consult a working group that includes voluntary representatives from all of the following:
(1) One representative from each of the five underserved counties identified in subdivision (a).
(2) One representative of
an organization representing rural counties.
(3) Representatives from one or more of the community college districts adjacent to each of the five underserved counties identified in subdivision (a).
(4) One representative of the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges.
(5) One representative of the office of the Chancellor of the California State University.
(6) One representative of the office of the President of the University of California.
(7) One representative of an organization of independent, nonprofit colleges and universities in California.
(8) One representative of the State Department of
Education.
(e) On or before December 31, 2025, the Legislative Analyst’s Office shall submit the report and recommendations required by this section to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature and the Governor.
(f) (1) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(2) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2030.