ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

Senate: ED DP 7-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 30-0-0-0

House: ED DP 8-1-0-1

SB 1179: ABOR; reporting requirements; revisions

Sponsor: Senator Bennett, LD 1

Caucus & COW

Overview

Modifies several reporting requirements for the public universities and the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).

History

Statute details full-time equivalent student enrollment reporting and auditing requirements for the public universities, ABOR and the Auditor General. Currently, basic actual full-time equivalent student enrollment for each public university is counted on the 45th day after classes begin in the fall and spring semesters. Consequently, class rosters must reflect enrollment and withdrawals as of the 45th day. Additionally, the undergraduate credit hour threshold is based on the actual full-time equivalent student enrollment counted on the 45th day of every fall and spring semester. By October 15th annually, ABOR must report the number of in-state and out-of-state students who were enrolled in the public universities and who met or exceeded the undergraduate credit threshold to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) (A.R.S. §§ 15-1626, 15-1661).

The Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF) is administered by ABOR. TRIF monies may be used to provide grants for public university technology and research initiatives and outlined capital projects. By September 1st annually, ABOR must submit a report detailing the new and existing awards funded through TRIF (A.R.S. § 15-1648).

The public universities must admit a student who: 1) is younger than 18 years old; 2) has not yet attained a high school diploma or equivalent; 3) meets course requirements; and 4) achieves a specified score on a college entrance exam. ABOR must annually submit a report that describes how many of these students were admitted, as well as a general narrative of the types of courses or programs in which these students were enrolled. The public universities must submit to ABOR the information necessary to compile this report (A.R.S. § 15-1821).

Provisions

1. Modifies ABOR's report to JLBC on the number of in-state and out-of-state students enrolled during the previous fiscal year by:

a) requiring the report to be submitted by December 1st, rather than October 15th; and

b) replacing the requirement that the report include the number of students who met or exceeded the undergraduate credit hour threshold with the specification that the report include the number of students enrolled in the most recent fall semester, disaggregated by geographic site. (Sec. 1)

2. Mandates each public university's basic actual full-time equivalent student enrollment be counted on the 21st, rather than 45th, day of the fall and spring semesters. (Sec. 3)

3. Requires class rosters to reflect enrollment and withdrawals as of the 21st, rather than 45th, day. (Sec. 3)

4. Changes the date by which ABOR must annually submit the TRIF report from September 1st to October 1st. (Sec. 2)

5. Deletes the requirement that:

a) ABOR annually submit a report on students younger than 18 years old who had not yet attained a high school diploma or equivalent and were enrolled in a university course or program for university credit; and

b) the public universities annually submit to ABOR the information necessary to compile this report. (Sec. 4)

6. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2, 3, 4)

9. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

10. SB 1179

11. Initials CH Page 0 Caucus & COW

12.

13. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------