115347-1:n:11/23/2009:LFO-JI/csh
| SYNOPSIS: | This bill creates the Alabama Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (PACT) Program Advisory Task Force. This bill also provides for the membership and purposes of the Task Force. |
To create the Alabama Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (PACT) Program Advisory Task Force; and to provide for the membership and purposes of the Task Force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. The Legislature makes the following findings:
(1) The Legislature finds that the Alabama Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (PACT) Program serves the legitimate purpose of encouraging timely financial planning for higher education.
(2) Since the program's inception, many Alabamians have entered into PACT contracts with either specific or implied guarantees that tuition and mandatory fees would be paid for all PACT beneficiaries at the time of the students' matriculation to postsecondary education.
(3) In order to fulfill the promises made in PACT contracts, it is in the best interests of the citizens of Alabama that the PACT Program be operated as efficiently as possible by an informed PACT Board of Directors making transparent, fiscally sound decisions.
(4) The effectiveness of the PACT Program is maximized when the PACT Board of Directors has input from members of the Legislature, members of the state's education community, and members of the general public holding PACT contracts, all of whom have a vested interest in the success of the PACT Program.
Section 2. (a) There is created the Alabama PACT Program Advisory Task Force, which shall be composed of the following members:
(1) Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2) Two members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.
(3) Two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore.
(4) The Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System or his or her designee.
(5) The President of the Council of College and University Presidents or his or her designee.
(6) The Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
(7) Seven members at-large appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with one at-large member selected from each congressional district, and seven members at-large appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, with one at-large member selected from each congressional district. Additionally, each at-large member must hold a valid PACT contract at the time of his or her appointment.
(b) In making such appointments, the appointing authorities shall ensure that the composition of the Task Force is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, age, urban/rural, economic, geographical, and political diversity of the state. Appointing authorities shall make their initial appointments within sixty days of the effective date of this act and shall make any subsequently necessary appointments as soon as a vacancy occurs.
(c) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a chair from the members named to the Task Force. The first meeting of the Task Force will be held at the call of the chair and shall occur not later than thirty days after all Task Force positions have been filled. At the first meeting, members of the Task Force shall, by majority vote, elect a vice-chair. The Task Force shall subsequently meet quarterly and may meet more often upon the call of the chair.
(d) Each member of the Task Force shall serve for a period of four years. Members may succeed themselves if reappointed to the Task Force by their respective appointing authorities. The chair and vice-chair shall each serve one-year terms, with the first term commencing at the initial meeting of the Task Force. If re-elected by a majority of the Task Force, the chair and vice-chair may succeed themselves in their respective positions.
(e) Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred for attending meetings of the Task Force according to the policies and procedures of their respective appointing authorities. Each legislative member of the Task Force shall be entitled to his or her regular legislative compensation, his or her per diem, and travel expenses for each day he or she attends a meeting of the Task Force. All expenses, regardless of whether the Task Force member is a member of the Legislature, shall be paid out of any funds appropriated to the use of the Legislature, upon warrants drawn on the state Comptroller upon requisitions signed by the chair of the Task Force. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no legislative member shall receive additional legislative compensation or per diem when the Legislature is in session or if a member is being paid any other payments on the same dates for attendance of other state business.
Section 3. The Alabama PACT Program Advisory Task Force shall have the following powers and responsibilities:
(1) The Task Force shall review all aspects of the PACT Program, including the investment decisions of the PACT Board and the funding needs of the PACT Program, and make appropriate recommendations as necessary to the PACT Board and the Legislature.
(2) The Task Force shall devise strategies to help control the increasing cost of tuition at the state's public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education.
(3) The Task Force shall meet with and work with members of the PACT Board on issues important to the financial stability of the PACT Program.
(4) The Task force shall be required to periodically convene informational meetings around the state to advise the public of the status of the PACT Program and to inform the public of recommendations made by the Task Force to the PACT Board and the Legislature.
Section 4. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.