The Chancellor’s Legislative UUppddaattee

A briefing for the Community College System

April 13, 2012 Learn more:

Colleagues: The ACCS enjoyed a successful week at the , x Meeting dates thanks in great part to your relationships with your elected officials. We finally x Bill status have separation from the Alabama Fire College. The Senate Finance & Taxation x Member contact Education Committee is expected to unveil the Education Trust Fund Budget next week. Please talk with your Senate and House members about our budget www.legislature.state.al.us request and needs. -- Susan Price, Interim Chancellor ______

Postsecondary Legislative Agenda

Ź Budget Request for ACCS: Requests Ź A&M-ASU Transfer Scholarship Program: Education Trust Fund dollars of $403.7 million for Requests funds to comply with the Knight-Sims System operations, $43 million for capital needs settlement in order to provide scholarships to two- and $10 million for deferred maintenance. year college students transferring to Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University. Ź Separation from the Alabama Fire College: Removes oversight responsibility from Shelton Ź SBE-ACCS Governance Change: Opposes State Community College, the Department of any effort, legislative or otherwise, to remove Postsecondary Education and the State Board of authority to govern the Alabama Community Education. Pending Governor’s Signature College System.

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Snippets & Actions … bills remove Athens State University from the Ź SB134 by Sen. Gerald Allen has been approved jurisdiction, supervision and control of the State by both houses and sent to Governor Bentley for Board of Education. SB499 has already cleared his signature. Part of the State Board of committee and is on the Senate Calendar. Education’s and Alabama Community College System’s legislative agenda for the last several Ź HB603 by Rep. Jay Love was approved years, the bill separates Shelton State Community Thursday by the Senate and sent to Gov. Bentley College and the Alabama Community College for his signature. The bill removes language in last System from the Alabama Fire College. Gov. year’s legislation that was recently rejected by the Bentley has indicated that he will sign the bill once Alabama Supreme Court. The high court has it arrives on his desk. A signing ceremony will be scheduled a settlement hearing for next Friday. held in the very near future. Sen. Allen and House sponsor Rep. John Merrill are to be commended for their leadership and perseverance. Questions? Comments? Contact Dean R. Argo Ź SB499 by Sen. and HB679 by [email protected] Rep. Dan Williams were introduced this week. The

GovernmentRelationsLegislativeTrackingChart

HB39 by Rep. Paul Lee provides economic development incentives to manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft parts. Act 2012-185.

HB136 by Rep. Mac McCutcheon exempts certain public employees from filing economic interest forms and allows them to accept gifts. Senate Constitution and Elections Committee

HB151 by Rep. changes the name of the Alabama Development Office to the Alabama Department of Commerce. Act 2012-167

HB152 by Rep. Duwayne Bridges provides tax credits for unemployed veterans who become employed or start a business. Act 2012-168

HB282 by Rep. John Rogers is a Constitutional Amendment that establishes a state-operated lottery. Ways & Means Education

HB427 by Rep. John Merrill requires new construction of buildings at two- and four-year educational institutions to include a safe room or hallway. House Calendar

HB508 by Rep. Jamie Ison amends retirement benefits for state and public education employees hired after the passage of this bill. House Calendar

HB664 by Rep. amends current law to include “credit hours” with clock hours. Boards, Agencies, and Commissions

SB49 by Sen. allows ACHE to establish fees for reviewing out-of-state instructional programs. House Calendar

SB73 by Sen. Cam Ward allows electronic posting of legal notices. Pending Governor’s signature

SB134 by Sen. Gerald Allen separates Shelton State Community College and the ACCS from the Alabama Fire College. Pending Governor’s signature

SB193 by Sen. repeals the Rolling Reserve Budget Act. Finance & Taxation Education

SB197 by Sen. Vivian Figures establishes the “Alabama Smoke-Free Amendment of 2012.” Health

SB217 by Sen. Gerald Dial allows the state to claim a two percent administrative fee on all state-sanctioned bond issues. Job Creation & Economic Development

SB242 by Sen. Tom Whatley allows DROP members to voluntarily leave service without losing funds. Senate Calendar

SB339 by Sen. issues $650,000,000 in bonds for road and bridge repairs. Passed by Senate

SB360 by Sen. Tom Whatley makes military veterans eligible for in-state tuition. Senate Calendar

PleasechecktheGovernmentRelationspageoftheACCSWebSiteforadditionalbills!