(1)Existing law provides for a public postsecondary education system in this state. This system consists of the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges. Existing law authorizes these institutions to require that mandatory systemwide fees and tuition, among other fees, be paid by their students. Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending these institutions.

This bill would establish the CalServe Higher Education Grant Program, under the administration of the commission, which would award annual grants to eligible students to finance mandatory systemwide tuition and fees not covered by federal, state, or institutionally administered grants or fee waivers commencing with the 2024–25 academic year. The bill would establish the CalServe Higher Education Grant Program Fund in the State Treasury and require that all moneys appropriated for the program be deposited into the fund and appropriated by the Legislature to the commission for the program.

(2)Under existing law, by executive order, CaliforniaVolunteers is established in the office of the Governor and is charged with overseeing programs and initiatives for service and volunteerism. Existing law authorizes CaliforniaVolunteers to form a nonprofit public benefit corporation or other entity exempt from income taxation, as provided, to raise revenues and receive grants or other financial support from private or public sources, for purposes of undertaking or funding any lawful activity authorized to be undertaken by CaliforniaVolunteers. Existing federal law, the National Community Service Trust Act, also requires the state to create a commission to carry out specified duties relating to national service programs to be eligible for grants or allotments under certain programs, or to receive distributions of approved national service positions. Existing state law continues into existence the Board of Commissioners under CaliforniaVolunteers for purposes of meeting the requirements of the federal act and the act’s implementing rules and regulations. Existing law requires the Governor to appoint 25 voting members to the commission, as specified.

This bill would reestablish CaliforniaVolunteers, renamed CalServe, as a state agency that is not established in the office of the Governor and would set forth its mission, duties, and responsibilities. The bill would require the director, deputy director, and staff of CalServe to serve at the pleasure of, and be appointed by, the Governor. The bill would continue in existence a Board of Commissioners under CaliforniaVolunteers, to be named the CalServe Commission, for purposes of meeting the requirements of the federal act and the act’s implementing rules and regulations. The bill would repeal the provision requiring the Governor to appoint 25 voting members to the commission. The bill also would make conforming changes.