Originally assigned to ED AS
PASSED BY COW
Now
APPROP-related
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
alternative organization; community college districts
Purpose
Decreases the number of full-time equivalent students a provisional community college district (provisional district) must have enrolled to organize to a community college district and outlines requirements for accreditation.
Background
A community college district can be organized for a single county, two or more contiguous counties or an existing district and contiguous counties that are not part of the district. The proposed district must have a net assessed valuation of at least $448,017,200 and a population of at least 40,000 persons who are at least 15 years old. Beginning FY 1994, the minimum net assessed value increases annually by the percent change in total net assessed valuation for all districts organized with a population of less than 500,000 persons (A.R.S. § 15-1402).
Statute outlines a method of alternative organization for a county that does not meet the prescribed requirements. A community college district can be organized if the following criteria is met: 1) a provisional district must be operating in the county for at least five years; 2) a provisional district must have a full-time equivalent student enrollment of at least 900; 3) the proposed community college district seeks accreditation from a regional accrediting agency; 4) a member of the public requests or the governing board schedules public meetings to discuss the conversion of the district; 5) the governing board of the provisional district adopts a resolution to form a community college district; 6) the governing board calls an election seeking voter approval to increase the primary property tax levy; and 6) the provisional district maintains regional accreditation and an oversight relationship with another district until the conversion is complete (A.R.S. § 15-1402.01).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Reduces, from at least 900 to 450, the required full-time equivalent student enrollment for a provisional district to organize into a community college district.
2. Allows a provisional district to continue to operate until July 1, 2027.
3. Requires, after July 1, 2027, a provisional district to either:
a) convert to a community college tuition financing district; or
b) form a new community college district.
4. Exempts a provisional district from these requirements, if it:
a) applies for accreditation from a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or from the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (Postsecondary Council); and
b) receives notice from the regional accrediting agency or the Postsecondary Council that the district is eligible to pursue candidacy.
5. Directs a community college district that receives a notice to maintain a regional accreditation and oversight relationship with another district until it receives candidacy status from the regional accrediting agency or the Postsecondary Council.
6. Makes technical changes.
7. Become effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Adopted a strike-everything amendment allowing person to register to vote when applying for a hunting, fishing or trapping license or concealed weapons permit.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. The committee strike-everything amendment was withdrawn.
2. Permits a provisional district to continue operations until July 1, 2027.
3. Requires after this date, a provisional district to either:
a) convert to a community college tuition financing district; or
b) form a new community college district.
4. Exempts a provisional district from these requirements, if it:
a) applies for accreditation from a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or from the Postsecondary Council; and
b) receives notice that the district is eligible for candidacy.
5. Directs a community college district that receives a notice to maintain a regional accreditation and oversight relationship with another district until it receives candidacy status.
House Action Senate Action
ED 2/16/21 DP 10-0-0-0 ED 3/23/21 W/D
3rd Read 2/24/21 59-0-1 APPROP 3/31/21 DPA/SE 9-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
May 26, 2021
JO/gs