What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to state payments to community colleges; repealer
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Ellen C. Jaffee
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7152
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to payments to community colleges by the state, and to repeal subdivision 10 of section 6305 of the education law relating to state reimbursement to counties for amounts paid on behalf of non-resident students in attendance at the fashion institute of technology
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to alleviate the financial burden on New York State counties from having to pay charge back fees to FIT for upper division programs.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Provides that subject to the availability of appropriation, that state shall pay the charge back fees for baccalaureate and masters degree programs to FIT. On or before March 31, 2012, the state shall pay 50% of the costs and on or before June 1, 2013, the state shall make the remaining 50% payment to FIT. This section further provides that on or after June 1, 2014 and thereafter, the state shall pay 100% of such costs.
In the event that the state does not pay, the counties that issue the certificate of residences shall make such payments.
Section 2. Removes the authority for the counties to charge the cities and towns charge back fees for resident students who attend community colleges that are not in such resident student's home county.
Section 4. Sets for the effective date.
Justification
The Fashion Institute of Technology is a uniquely situated community college. FIT relies on funding from three sources, local sponsor's share, state support and student tuition, much like any other community college. However, FIT grants baccalaureate and masters degrees which makes them unique. In a recent court case, FIT's designation as a community college was upheld, however, the court found that counties should only required to provide charge back fees for their two year programs. Charge back fees are collected as part of an off-set to the local sponsor's share and are paid by counties whose residents choose to attend an out of county community college.
In these trying economic times, counties are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to pay the upper level charge back fees. This fact, coupled with the court's decision, makes this bill necessary to alleviate some of the counties' burden but to still fund FIT at appropriate and fair levels.
FIT provides a very specialized education in a variety of sought after programs. The Institute has impressive graduation and successful job placement rates and should be financially supported.
Therefore, this bill would achieve the goal of fully funding FIT by having the state pick up the charge back sots for the upper division degrees while easing the counties' financial hardships.
It is important to note, that this bill does not provide an unfair advantage to FIT over other community colleges because it keeps in place the counties obligation to pay the lower level charge back fees which are paid to all other community colleges for two year degrees.
Legislative history
New legislation.
Fiscal implications
Pursuant to appropriation, approximately $10.8M in 2013-14.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.