CaliforniaSouthwestern Community College could offer four workforce-focused bachelor’s programs
If enacted and not blocked by two named competing bills, the measure would let Southwestern Community College seek approval for four workforce-focused bachelor’s programs.
What it does
If enacted and not blocked by two named competing bills, Southwestern Community College District could offer up to four specified bachelor’s programs after chancellor approval and required reviews.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office would review any programs offered under the authorization and report interim findings by July 1, 2031, with a final report due by July 1, 2035.
The special program rules would end on January 1, 2037, and they would not operate if either named competing bill takes effect by January 1, 2027.
Argument forStudents in South San Diego County could gain access to bachelor’s programs tied to local workforce needs, if the chancellor approves them and the act becomes operative.
Argument againstThe district would face added proposal, partnership, accreditation, and reporting requirements before it could offer the programs, which may delay their launch.
More detail
The Chancellor of the California Community Colleges may authorize Southwestern Community College District to offer up to four bachelor’s degree programs. The programs would be limited to forensic studies, allied health education and leadership, interaction design, and teaching English to speakers of other languages. The district’s governing board must submit proposals to the chancellor. Each proposal must show regional job demand, limited availability at nearby public universities, and collaboration with those universities. The district must meet specified application and review requirements, and programs must receive any required accreditation approval. Enrolled students would be included in the funding and fee rules used for other community college bachelor’s programs. The authorization would apply only if the measure becomes operative and is not blocked by the enactment and effective date of AB 2694 or SB 960 by January 1, 2027.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office must evaluate the authorized programs and report its findings to the Legislature and Governor. The evaluations would cover programs offered by Southwestern Community College District under this article, including student participation, completion, workforce demand, job placement, partnerships, and effects on underserved students. The district must provide information needed for the evaluations to the chancellor. The chancellor must provide that information to the Legislative Analyst’s Office upon request. An interim evaluation is due by July 1, 2031, and a final evaluation is due by July 1, 2035.
The special authorization and related rules would end, and the act would remain inoperative under the stated competing-bill condition. This applies to the special article governing Southwestern Community College District’s workforce-aligned bachelor’s programs. The act would not become operative if AB 2694, SB 960, or both are enacted and take effect on or before January 1, 2027. The article would remain in effect only until January 1, 2037, when it would be repealed.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 27Vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.Latest
- Sep 14Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 1:30 p.m.To Governor
- Sep 1
- Vote recorded AB 664 Alvarez Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 31Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 68. Noes 1. Page 7030.).Major
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB664 Alvarez et al. By Padilla. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 31In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 31Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 21Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Minor
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 2From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jul 1
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- May 22From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED.Major
- May 6Referred to Com. on ED.Minor
- Jan 27In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Jan 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 69. Noes 1. Page 3830.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 664 Alvarez Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (January 22).Minor
- Jan 22In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.Minor
- Jan 22Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 3806.)
- Jan 14From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 1.) (January 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jan 14Coauthors revised.
- Jan 13
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 6Re-referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.Minor
- Jan 5From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HIGHER ED. Read second time and amended.Major
- Jan 5Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.Minor
- 2025
- Feb 15From printer. May be heard in committee March 17.
- Feb 14Read first time. To print.Introduced
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