The 2024 Legislative Session: Where we are and what you can expect in the coming months

??????????? At the beginning of June, legislators in Sacramento are gearing up to meet the final policy deadlines standing in between their top legislative proposals and the Governor’s desk. California’s legislative process follows an 8-month calendar, which determines when bills are amended, heard by committees, voted on by the full body, and ultimately sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Throughout this process, the Community College League of California (the League) engages with the legislature and the Administration on key pieces of legislation impacting California’s community colleges.

??????????? On May 16, policymakers convened to meet one of their major deadlines—the last day for fiscal committees to hear bills introduced in their respective houses. This deadline, also known as “Suspense Day,” determines the outcome of bills with significant costs to the state and determines which bills we can afford to implement, given the state’s overall available revenue and fiscal spending. The League’s sponsored bill, SB 895 by Senator Roth regarding BSN degrees, was passed by the committee without significant amendments. The League’s opposed bill, SB 1388 by Senator Archuleta, regarding community college reserves, was held by the committee and is no longer moving forward this year.

??????????? While we are grateful for the progress made on these legislative items, the work is not done. All bills that passed off the Suspense File were debated and voted on by their respective bodies and most of those measures are now in the second house. In other words, Senate Bills are now being heard in the Assembly, and Assembly Bills are now being heard in the Senate. Legislators have until July 3, to conduct policy hearings on their bills, providing an opportunity for public testimony and stakeholder engagement. After a month-long summer recess in July, legislators will return to Sacramento in August for the final stretch. On August 15, the Legislature will have their second, and final, suspense hearing, leading to two weeks of floor session. The legislature must vote and pass all bills to the Governor’s desk by midnight on August 31. The Governor will then have 30 days to sign or veto bills sent to his desk.

Current status of League-tracked bills (as of June 6, 2024):

SB 895 (Roth) CCC Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pilot Program

League Position: Support and Co-Sponsor

Status: Awaiting hearing in the Assembly Higher Education Committee

AB 2931 (M. Fong) Classified employees: merit system: part-time student-tutors

League Position: Support

Status: Awaiting referral to the Senate Education Committee

AB 3015 (Ramos) Nonresident tuition and fees: recognized Indian tribes

League Position: Support

Status: Awaiting referral to the Senate Education Committee

AB 2707 (M. Fong) Community colleges: student housing: study

League Position: Support

Status: Being heard in the Senate Education Committee on 5/29/24

AB 2104 (Soria) CCC Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pilot Program

League Position: Support

Status: Awaiting referral to the Senate Education Committee

AB 2193 (Holden) Civil Liability for Hazing

League Position: Oppose

Status: Awaiting hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee

AB 2421 (Low) Employer-employee relations: confidential communications

League Position: Oppose

Status: Awaiting referral to the Senate Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement Committee

AB 2277 (Wallis) Community colleges: part-time faculty

League Position: Oppose

Status: Awaiting referral to the Senate Education Committee

AB 1818 (Jackson) Overnight student parking: pilot program

League Position: Oppose

Status: Awaiting referral to the Senate Education Committee

AB 2088 (McCarty) K–14 classified employees: public postings

League Position: Oppose

Status: Awaiting referral to the Senate Education Committee

AB 359 (Holden) Dual Enrollment

CEOCCC Position: Oppose Unless Amended

Status: Awaiting hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee

AB 1160 (Pacheco) Student Institutional Debt

CEOCCC Position: Oppose

Status: Awaiting hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee

??????????? The League’s government relations team remains engaged on all significant legislative proposals impacting California’s community colleges. To take action on key legislative proposals, including submitting letters of support or opposition, please refer to our website. To stay updated on budget and legislative news, please join us for our monthly government relations webinars. To inquire about a specific bill, please reach out to our team at [email protected].