Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Under existing law, the board of governors appoints a chief executive officer, known as the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, to serve as the chief executive officer of the segment. Existing law establishes community college districts throughout the state that provide instruction at the campuses they operate.

This bill bill, contingent upon the enactment of an appropriation from the General Fund in the annual Budget Act or in another statute, would require the chancellor to allocate to Antelope Valley College College, for support of the Aerospace Institute, up to $500,000 in matching state funds, which the bill would appropriate, if the chancellor determines that: (1) an Aerospace Institute has been formally established by, to be located at, Antelope Valley College; and (2) Antelope Valley College has received private contributions for support of the Aerospace Institute in an amount that, when combined with the state matching funds appropriated by the bill, funds, is sufficient to fund the operation of the Aerospace Institute for at least one academic year. The bill would express the intent of the Legislature that, after its first academic year of operation, the Aerospace Institute at Antelope Valley College would be funded by private contributions matched by state funds, not to exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year, provided through an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Under existing law, the board of governors appoints a chief executive officer, known as the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, to serve as the chief executive officer of the segment. Existing law establishes community college districts throughout the state that provide instruction at the campuses they operate.

This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would authorize the allocation of funds appropriated to the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges in a specific item of the Budget Act of 2018 to create 2 new staff positions in the California Community Colleges. require the chancellor to allocate to Antelope Valley College up to $500,000 in matching state funds, which the bill would appropriate, if the chancellor determines that: (1) an Aerospace Institute has been formally established by, to be located at, Antelope Valley College; and (2) Antelope Valley College has received private contributions for support of the Aerospace Institute in an amount that, when combined with the matching funds appropriated by the bill, is sufficient to fund the operation of the Aerospace Institute for at least one academic year. The bill would express the intent of the Legislature that, after its first academic year of operation, the Aerospace Institute at Antelope Valley College would be funded by private contributions matched by state funds, not to exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year, provided through an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state.

This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would authorize the allocation of funds appropriated to the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges in a specific item of the Budget Act of 2018 to create 2 new staff positions in the California Community Colleges.

Date of Hearing: August 8, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1356

Author:(Wilk) – As Amended Ver:May 25, 2018

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires, subject to an appropriation, the California Community College (CCC) chancellor’s office to allocate up to $500,000 in state matching funds to Antelope Valley College (AVC) to support an aerospace institute, if the chancellor determines both (a) an aerospace institute has been formally established by, and to be located at, AVC and, (b) AVC has received private contributions for support of the aerospace institute in an amount that, when combined with state matching funds, is sufficient to fund the operation of the institute for at least one academic year.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Up to $500,000 one-time Proposition 98 General Fund to provide matching funds to support the AVC aerospace institute. This amount would match private contributions towards these purposes.
2. Minor and absorbable GF costs to the CCC chancellor’s office to administer the funding.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author:

[The aerospace institute] would bring industry experts, academic and research leaders, in engineering, physics, and other sciences, and students at the graduate level, together in one place. They would have access to the most advanced aerospace facilities in the world at Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Edwards Air Force Base, and the plethora of other industry leaders in the high desert.

1. Staff Comments. The 2018-19 budget act does not allocate matching funds to the CCC chancellor’s office to support an aerospace institute at AVC. In addition, as of July 2018, AVC has not received private contributions to support the institute.
2. Related Legislation. ACR 145 (Lackey) Chapter 30, Statutes of 2018, declares the Legislature’s support for the creation of a California Institute for Aerospace in southern California’s Antelope Valley.

AB 240 (Lackey) would have requested the Regents of the University of California (UC) to establish the California Institute for Aerospace. The bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 2600 (Lackey) of the 2015-2016 Legislative Session, requested the regents of the UC to establish the California Institute for Aerospace. The bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Analysis Prepared by: Natasha Collins / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: June 19, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Jose Medina, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1356

Author:(Wilk) – As Amended Ver:May 25, 2018

SENATE VOTE: 36-0

SUBJECT: California Community Colleges: Antelope Valley College: Aerospace Institute

SUMMARY: Requires the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges (CCC) to allocate an amount of up to $500,000 in matching state funds to Antelope Valley College for support of an Aerospace Institute if certain conditions are met. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the Chancellor of the CCC, contingent on an appropriation from the General Fund in the annual Budget Act or in another statute, to allocate an amount, not to exceed $500,000, that is equal to the amount of private contributions that Antelope Valley College has received for support of the Aerospace Institute, for allocation to Antelope Valley College for support of the Aerospace Institute, if the Chancellor determines that both of the following have occurred:
   1. An Aerospace Institute has been formally established by, and to be located at, Antelope Valley College; and,
   2. Antelope Valley College has received private contributions for support of the Aerospace Institute in an amount that, when combined with state matching funds, is sufficient to fund the operation of the Aerospace Institute for at least one academic year.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the CCC under the administration of the Board of Governors (BOG) of the CCC and requires the BOG to appoint a chief executive officer, to be known as the Chancellor of the CCC. (Education Code (EDC) Section 71090)
2. Requires the BOG of the CCC to provide leadership and direction in the continuing development of the CCC as an integral and effective element in the structure of public higher education in the state, which at all times must be directed to maintaining and continuing, to the maximum degree permissible, local authority and control in the administration of the CCC. (EDC Section 71090)
3. Requires the BOG of the CCC, in consultation with community college districts and other interested parties, to provide general supervision over community college districts, and in furtherance of those purposes, to perform certain functions, including reviewing and approving all educational programs offered by community college districts and all courses that are not offered as part of an educational program approved by the BOG of the CCC. (EDC Section 70901)

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, while this bill’s provisions are contingent upon an appropriation, it would result in Proposition 98 General Fund cost pressure of $500,000 to support the Aerospace Institute at the Antelope Valley College. Any state funding may only be allocated if an Aerospace Institute has been established at the college and if sufficient private funds have been received. Any administrative costs to the Chancellor’s Office are expected to be minor and absorbable within existing resources.

COMMENTS: Need for the bill. According to the author, “California’s aerospace industry directly supplies over a half-million mortgage paying jobs in California with industry average salaries over $100,000. The industry does over $61 billion in economic activity within our states boundaries. Its historical, cultural and economic contributions to the state are indisputable. But, in some regions where the industry typically thrives there has emerged a massive problem that has the potential to inflict permanent damage to the stability of this industry in California.

“Aerospace companies depend on highly skilled staff to research, develop, design and assemble the worlds most advanced technology and engineering efforts. But when the workforce they need is not available to them they suffer and, if the problem persists, they move to areas where the employee pool is deeper and more accessible. This is what we want to avoid by developing the workforce right here in California by establishing an Aerospace Institute in the heart of California’s aerospace industry, the Antelope Valley.”

Aerospace Institute. This bill requires funds to be appropriated to Antelope Valley College if an Aerospace Institute has been formally established at that college, and if sufficient private funds have been received. It appears that an Aerospace Institute does not yet formally exist at Antelope Valley College. According to the author, the Institute “would bring industry experts, academic and research leaders, in engineering, physics, and other sciences, and students at the graduate level, together in one place. They would have access to the most advanced aerospace facilities in the world at Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Edwards Air Force Base, and the plethora of other industry leaders in the high desert.”

According to the Web site of the Antelope Valley College, it offers the following degrees and programs in fields that are related to the aerospace industry:

1. A Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Airframe Manufacturing Technology, with curriculum addressing airframe manufacturing, aircraft fabrication (structures and composites), electronics, and welding.
2. Career technical education programs in:
   1. Aeronautical and Aviation Technology consisting of three components: general aircraft maintenance, aircraft airframe and aircraft powerplant. Antelope Valley College is one of the few community colleges in the United States offering composites fabrication and repair. This Airframe and Powerplant Technician Program is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
   2. Electronics Technology.
   3. Aircraft Fabrication and Assembly.

Report on aerospace industry in California. In March 2016, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, as part of its industry cluster series, published a report, The Changing Face of Aerospace in Southern California: the Future is Now, about the status and future of the aerospace industry in California. The report focused on various aspects of the aerospace industry, including jobs and training. Importantly, the report revealed:

1. The highest number of future openings in the aerospace industry in California will be found in occupations related to production, such as inspectors, assemblers, machinists and technicians, with 2,250 new job openings and an additional 3,380 replacement workers needed over next five years.
2. Approximately 53 percent of jobs will be open to workers with a high school diploma or some college or post-secondary education, likely in production-related occupations.
3. In order to expand the aerospace industry in Southern California, “a need for a continuous supply of workers, ranging from low skilled to very high skilled, exists. Educational and training programs are highly valuable as they provide paths to careers in aerospace for all skill levels.”
4. One of the weaknesses of the Southern California aerospace industry is that “finding candidates with industry experience (an important qualification) is difficult given the lack of internships and many security restrictions.”

Recent legislative hearing. The Senate Education Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Defense and Aerospace held an informational hearing on February 9, 2018, on the topic of Higher Education’s Role in Preparing Engineers for the Aerospace Industry. Testimony revealed the following themes:

1. Collaboration between postsecondary education and the aerospace industry exists but is dependent upon individual relationships.
2. There is a lack of capacity within postsecondary education to meet the needs of the aerospace industry. According to testimony from a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, approximately, 27,000 students applied for 800 engineering slots.
3. The aerospace industry, particularly those working on defense projects, requires employees to receive a high-level security clearance that is very difficult to achieve (in addition to a lengthy approval backlog of 18-24 months).
4. Some postsecondary institutions would like to more easily loan faculty to companies in the aerospace industry.

Prior legislation. ACR 145 (Lackey) Chapter 30, Statutes of 2018, declares the Legislature’s support for the creation of a California Institute for Aerospace in southern California’s Antelope Valley.

AB 240 (Lackey) of 2017, would have requested the Regents of the University of California (UC) to establish the California Institute for Aerospace. AB 240 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 427 (Muratsuchi) of 2017, would have established the California Aerospace and Aviation Commission for the purpose of serving as a central point of contact for related industries and to support the health and competitiveness of these industries in California. AB 427 passed the Assembly but was never heard in the Senate.

AB 2600 (Lackey) of 2016, would have requested the Regents of the UC to establish the California Institute for Aerospace. AB 2600 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

California Chamber of Commerce

California Manufacturers & Technology Association

Computing Technology Industry Association

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Kevin J. Powers / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: SB 1356

Author:

Amended: 5/25/18

Vote:

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 6-0, 4/18/18

AYES: Allen, Wilk, Galgiani, Leyva, Pan, Vidak

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/25/18

AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Bradford, Hill, Nielsen, Wiener

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill, contingent on an appropriation, requires the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges (CCC) to allocate an amount of up to $500,000 in matching state funds to Antelope Valley College for support of an Aerospace Institute if certain conditions are met.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the CCC under the administration of the Board of Governors (BOG) of the CCC and requires the BOG to appoint a chief executive officer, to be known as the Chancellor of the CCC. (Education Code §71090)
2. Requires the BOG of the CCC to provide leadership and direction in the continuing development of the CCC as an integral and effective element in the structure of public higher education in the state, which at all times must be directed to maintaining and continuing, to the maximum degree permissible, local authority and control in the administration of the CCC. (EDC §71090)
3. Requires the BOG of the CCC, in consultation with community college districts and other interested parties, to provide general supervision over community college districts, and in furtherance of those purposes, to perform certain functions, including reviewing and approving all educational programs offered by community college districts and all courses that are not offered as part of an educational program approved by the BOG of the CCC. (EDC §70901)

This bill, contingent on an appropriation, requires the Chancellor of the CCC to allocate an amount of up to $500,000 in matching state funds to Antelope Valley College for support of an Aerospace Institute if certain conditions are met. Specifically, this bill requires the Chancellor of the CCC, contingent on an appropriation from the General Fund in the annual Budget Act or in another statute, to allocate an amount, not to exceed $500,000, that is equal to the amount of private contributions that Antelope Valley College has received for support of the Aerospace Institute, for allocation to Antelope Valley College for support of the Aerospace Institute, if he or she determines that both of the following have occurred:

1. An Aerospace Institute has been formally established by, and to be located at, Antelope Valley College.
2. Antelope Valley College has received private contributions for support of the Aerospace Institute in an amount that, when combined state matching funds, is sufficient to fund the operation of the Aerospace Institute for at least one academic year.

Comments

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “California’s aerospace industry directly supplies over a half-million mortgage paying jobs in California with industry average salaries over $100,000. The industry does over $61 billion in economic activity within our states boundaries. Its historical, cultural and economic contributions to the state are indisputable. But, in some regions where the industry typically thrives there has emerged a massive problem that has the potential to inflict permanent damage to the stability of this industry in California.

“Aerospace companies depend on highly skilled staff to research, develop, design and assemble the worlds most advanced technology and engineering efforts. But when the workforce they need is not available to them they suffer and, if the problem persists, they move to areas where the employee pool is deeper and more accessible. This is what we want to avoid by developing the workforce right here in California by establishing an Aerospace Institute in the heart of California’s aerospace industry, the Antelope Valley.”

1. Aerospace Institute. This bill requires funds to be appropriated to Antelope Valley College if an Aerospace Institute has been formally established at that college, and if sufficient private funds have been received. It appears that an Aerospace Institute does not yet formally exist at Antelope Valley College. According to the author, the Institute “would bring industry experts, academic and research leaders, in engineering, physics, and other sciences, and students at the graduate level, together in one place. They would have access to the most advanced aerospace facilities in the world at Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Edwards Air Force Base, and the plethora of other industry leaders in the high desert.”
   1. According to the Web site of the Antelope Valley College, it offers the following degrees and programs in fields that are related to the aerospace industry:
   2. A Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Airframe Manufacturing Technology, with curriculum addressing airframe manufacturing, aircraft fabrication (structures and composites), electronics, and welding.
   3. Career technical education programs in:
      1. Aeronautical and Aviation Technology consisting of three components: general aircraft maintenance, aircraft airframe and aircraft powerplant. Antelope Valley College is one of the few community colleges in the United States offering composites fabrication and repair. This Airframe and Powerplant Technician Program is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
      2. Electronics Technology.
      3. Aircraft Fabrication and Assembly.
2. Report on aerospace industry in California. In March 2016, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, as part of its industry cluster series, published a report, The Changing Face of Aerospace in Southern California: the Future is Now, about the status and future of the aerospace industry in California. The report focused on various aspects of the aerospace industry, including jobs and training. Importantly, the report revealed:
   1. The highest number of future openings in the aerospace industry in California will be found in occupations related to production, such as inspectors, assemblers, machinists and technicians, with 2,250 new job openings and an additional 3,380 replacement workers needed over next five years.
   2. Approximately 53 percent of jobs will be open to workers with a high school diploma or some college or post-secondary education, likely in production-related occupations.
   3. In order to expand the aerospace industry in Southern California, “a need for a continuous supply of workers, ranging from low skilled to very high skilled, exists. Educational and training programs are highly valuable as they provide paths to careers in aerospace for all skill levels.”
   4. One of the weaknesses of the Southern California aerospace industry is that “finding candidates with industry experience (an important qualification) is difficult given the lack of internships and many security restrictions.”

The author states that “the institute would be specifically designed to train the next generation of aerospace employees and familiarize some of our brightest young minds with the industry and its benefits so that they go on to pursue jobs with partners they’ll already know on a personal basis.” This would appear to respond to one of the weaknesses identified in the report by exposing students directly to employers in the aerospace industry.

1. Associated legislative hearing. The Senate Education Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Defense and Aerospace held an informational hearing on February 9, 2018, on the topic of Higher Education’s Role in Preparing Engineers for the Aerospace Industry. Testimony revealed the following themes:
   1. Collaboration between postsecondary education and the aerospace industry exists but is dependent upon individual relationships.
   2. There is a lack of capacity within postsecondary education to meet the needs of the aerospace industry. According to testimony from a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, approximately, 27,000 students applied for 800 engineering slots.
   3. The aerospace industry, particularly those working on defense projects, requires employees to receive a high-level security clearance that is very difficult to achieve (in addition to a lengthy approval backlog of 18-24 months).
   4. Some postsecondary institutions would like to more easily loan faculty to companies in the aerospace industry.

Related/Prior Legislation

ACR 145 (Lackey, Chapter 30, Statutes of 2018) declares the Legislature’s support for the creation of a California Institute for Aerospace in southern California’s Antelope Valley.

AB 240 (Lackey, 2017) would have requested the Regents of the University of California (UC) to establish the California Institute for Aerospace. AB 240 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 427 (Muratsuchi, 2017) would have established the California Aerospace and Aviation Commission for the purpose of serving as a central point of contact for related industries and to support the health and competitiveness of these industries in California. AB 427 passed the Assembly but was never heard in the Senate.

AB 2600 (Lackey, 2016) would have requested the Regents of the UC to establish the California Institute for Aerospace. AB 2600 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Local:

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, while this bill’s provisions are contingent upon an appropriation, it would result in Proposition 98 General Fund cost pressure of $500,000 to support the Aerospace Institute at the Antelope Valley College.  Any state funding may only be allocated if an Aerospace Institute has been established at the college and if sufficient private funds have been received.  Any administrative costs to the Chancellor’s Office are expected to be minor and absorbable within existing resources.

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/25/18)

California Chamber of Commerce

California Manufacturers & Technology Association

Computing Technology Industry Association

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/25/18)

None received

Prepared by:

5/29/18 9:08:29

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular Session

SB 1356 (Wilk) - California Community Colleges: Antelope Valley College: Aerospace Institute

Bill Summary:

This bill appropriates $500,000 to the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges for allocation to Antelope Valley College for support of an Aerospace Institute.

*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********

The following information is revised to reflect amendments

adopted by the committee on May 25, 2018

Fiscal Impact:

• While the bill’s provisions are contingent upon an appropriation, it would result in Proposition 98 General Fund cost pressure of $500,000 to support the Aerospace Institute at the Antelope Valley College. Any state funding may only be allocated if an Aerospace Institute has been established at the college and if sufficient private funds have been received.
• Any administrative costs to the Chancellor’s Office are expected to be minor and absorbable within existing resources.

Committee Amendments:

Remove the appropriation and make the allocation of funds to the Antelope Valley College contingent upon an appropriation in the budget or another statute.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular Session

SB 1356 (Wilk) - California Community Colleges: Antelope Valley College: Aerospace Institute

This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.

Bill Summary:

This bill appropriates $500,000 to the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges for allocation to Antelope Valley College for support of an Aerospace Institute.

Fiscal Impact:

• This bill includes an appropriation of $500,000 to the Chancellor’s Office for allocation to the Antelope Valley College (Proposition 98 General Fund). However, the funds may only be allocated if an Aerospace Institute has been established at the college and if sufficient private funds have been received.
• Any administrative costs to the Chancellor’s Office are expected to be minor and absorbable within existing resources.

Background:

Existing law establishes the CCC under the administration of the Board of Governors (BOG) of the CCC and requires the board of governors to appoint a chief executive officer, to be known as the Chancellor of the CCC. The BOG is required to provide leadership and direction in the continuing development of the community colleges as an integral and effective element in the structure of public higher education in the state, which at all times must be directed to maintaining and continuing, to the maximum degree permissible, local authority and control in the administration of the community colleges.

Existing law also requires the BOG to provide general supervision over community college districts, and in furtherance of those purposes, to perform certain functions, including reviewing and approving all educational programs offered by community college districts and all courses that are not offered as part of an educational program approved by the BOG.

At this point, an Aerospace Institute does not exist at the Antelope Valley College. However, the college currently offers the following degrees and programs in fields that are related to the aerospace industry: a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Airframe Manufacturing Technology, with curriculum addressing airframe manufacturing, aircraft fabrication (structures and composites), electronics, and welding; and career technical education programs in: aeronautical and aviation technology, electronics technology, and aircraft fabrication and assembly. Antelope Valley College is one of the few community colleges in the United States offering composites fabrication and repair.

Proposed Law:

This bill appropriates a sum not to exceed $500,000 that is equal to the amount of private contributions that Antelope Valley College has received for support of the Aerospace Institute, without regard to fiscal year, from the General Fund to the Chancellor for allocation to the Antelope Valley College.

This bill requires the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to allocate funding if he or she determines that both of the following have occurred:

1. An Aerospace Institute has been formally established by, and to be located at, Antelope Valley College.
2. Antelope Valley College has received private contributions for support of the Aerospace Institute in an amount that, when combined with the sum appropriated by the State, is sufficient to fund the operation of the Aerospace Institute for at least one academic year.
   

This bill states legislative intent that, after its first academic year of operation, the Aerospace Institute will be funded by private contributions matched by state funds of up to $500,000 in any fiscal year, provided through an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

Related Legislation:

ACR 145 (Lackey, Chapter 30, Statutes of 2018) declares the Legislature’s support for the creation of a California Institute for Aerospace in southern California’s Antelope Valley.

AB 240 (Lackey, 2017) requested the Regents of the University of California (UC) to establish the California Institute for Aerospace. AB 240 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 427 (Muratsuchi, 2017) would have established the California Aerospace and Aviation Commission for the purpose of serving as a central point of contact for related industries and to support the health and competitiveness of these industries in California. AB 427 passed the Assembly but was never heard in the Senate.

AB 2600 (Lackey, 2016) requested the Regents of the UC to establish the California Institute for Aerospace. AB 2600 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Staff Comments:

This bill requires funds to be appropriated to Antelope Valley College if an Aerospace Institute has been formally established at that college, and if the college has received enough private contributions, when combined with the sum appropriated by the State, is sufficient to fund the operation of the Aerospace Institute for at least one academic year. At this point, an Aerospace Institute does not exist at the Antelope Valley College and it is unclear how much private funding has been received.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Benjamin Allen, Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular

Bill No: SB 1356 Hearing Date: April 18, 2018

Subject: California Community Colleges: Antelope Valley College: Aerospace Institute

SUMMARY

This bill appropriates $500,000 to the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges (CCC) for allocation to Antelope Valley College for support of a yet-to-be-established Aerospace Institute.

BACKGROUND

Existing law:

1) Establishes the CCC under the administration of the Board of Governors (BOG) of the CCC and requires the board of governors to appoint a chief executive officer, to be known as the Chancellor of the CCC. (Education Code §

2) Requires the BOG of the CCC to provide leadership and direction in the continuing development of the CCC as an integral and effective element in the structure of public higher education in the state, which at all times must be directed to maintaining and continuing, to the maximum degree permissible, local authority and control in the administration of the CCC.

3) Requires the BOG of the CCC, in consultation with community college districts and other interested parties, to provide general supervision over community college districts, and in furtherance of those purposes, to perform certain functions, including reviewing and approving all educational programs offered by community college districts and all courses that are not offered as part of an educational program approved by the BOG of the CCC.

ANALYSIS

This bill:

1. Appropriates a sum not to exceed $500,000, that is equal to the amount of private contributions that Antelope Valley College has received for support of the Aerospace Institute, without regard to fiscal years, from the General Fund to the Chancellor for allocation to Antelope Valley College.
   
2. This bill requires the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to allocate funding if he or she determines that both of the following have occurred:
   
   1. An Aerospace Institute has been formally established by, and to be located at, Antelope Valley College.
      
   2. Antelope Valley College has received private contributions for support of the Aerospace Institute in an amount that, when combined with the sum appropriated by the State, is sufficient to fund the operation of the Aerospace Institute for at least one academic year.
      
3. States legislative intent that, after its first academic year of operation, the Aerospace Institute will be funded by private contributions matched by state funds of up to $500,000 in any fiscal year, provided through an appropriation in the annual Budget Act.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “California’s aerospace industry directly supplies over a half-million mortgage paying jobs in California with industry average salaries over $100,000. The industry does over $61 billion in economic activity within our states boundaries. Its historical, cultural and economic contributions to the state are indisputable. But, in some regions where the industry typically thrives there has emerged a massive problem that has the potential to inflict permanent damage to the stability of this industry in California.

Aerospace companies depend on highly skilled staff to research, develop, design and assemble the worlds most advanced technology and engineering efforts. But when the workforce they need is not available to them they suffer and, if the problem persists, they move to areas where the employee pool is deeper and more accessible. This is what we want to avoid by developing the workforce right here in California by establishing an Aerospace Institute in the heart of California’s aerospace industry, the Antelope Valley.”

1. Aerospace Institute. This bill requires funds to be appropriated to Antelope Valley College if an Aerospace Institute has been formally established at that college, and if sufficient private funds have been received. It appears that an Aerospace Institute does not yet formally exist at Antelope Valley College. According to the author, the institute “would bring industry experts, academic and research leaders, in engineering, physics, and other sciences, and students at the graduate level, together in one place. They would have access to the most advanced aerospace facilities in the world at Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Edwards Air Force Base, and the plethora of other industry leaders in the high desert.”

According to the website of the Antelope Valley College, it offers the following degrees and programs in fields that are related to the aerospace industry:

• 1. A Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Airframe Manufacturing Technology, with curriculum addressing airframe manufacturing, aircraft fabrication (structures and composites), electronics, and welding.
     
  2. Career technical education programs in:
     
     1. Aeronautical and Aviation Technology consisting of three components: general aircraft maintenance, aircraft airframe and aircraft powerplant. Antelope Valley College is one of the few community colleges in the United States offering composites fabrication and repair. This Airframe and Powerplant Technician Program is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
        
     2. Electronics Technology.
        
     3. Aircraft Fabrication and Assembly.
        

1. Report on aerospace industry in California. In March 2016, The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, as part of its industry cluster series, published a report, The Changing Face of Aerospace in Southern California: the Future is Now, about the status and future of the aerospace industry in California. The report focused on various aspects of the aerospace industry, including jobs and training. Importantly, the report revealed:
2. The highest number of future openings in the aerospace industry in California will be found in occupations related to production, such as inspectors, assemblers, machinists and technicians, with 2,250 new job openings and an additional 3,380 replacement workers needed over next five years.
3. Approximately 53 percent of jobs will be open to workers with a high school diploma or some college or post-secondary education, likely in production-related occupations.
4. In order to expand the aerospace industry in Southern California, “a need for a continuous supply of workers, ranging from low skilled to very high skilled, exists. Educational and training programs are highly valuable as they provide paths to careers in aerospace for all skill levels.”
5. One of the weaknesses of the Southern California aerospace industry is that “finding candidates with industry experience (an important qualification) is difficult given the lack of internships and many security restrictions.”

The author states that “the institute would be specifically designed to train the next generation of aerospace employees and familiarize some of our brightest young minds with the industry and its benefits so that they go on to pursue jobs with partners they’ll already know on a personal basis.” This would appear to respond to one of the weaknesses identified in the report by exposing students directly to employers in the aerospace industry.

4) Associated legislative hearing. The Senate Education Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Defense and Aerospace held an informational hearing on February 9, 2018, on the topic of Higher Education’s Role in Preparing Engineers for the Aerospace Industry. Testimony revealed the following themes:

• 1. Collaboration between postsecondary education and the aerospace industry exists but is dependent upon individual relationships.
     
  2. There is a lack of capacity within postsecondary education to meet the needs of the aerospace industry. According to testimony from a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, approximately, 27,000 students applied for 800 engineering slots.
     
  3. The aerospace industry, particularly those working on defense projects, requires employees to receive a high-level security clearance that is very difficult to achieve (in addition to a lengthy approval backlog of 18-24 months).
     
  4. Some postsecondary institutions would like to more easily loan faculty to companies in the aerospace industry.

5) Considerations for the committee. This bill continuously appropriates $500,000 from the general fund for purposes of the institute if certain conditions are met, including that the institute actually be established and that it receives matching private funding that, together with the $500,000 state funding, is sufficient for the first year of operation. However, the committee may wish to consider whether it’s clear that costs associated with the institute necessitate a $500,000 continuous appropriation. Additionally, the committee may wish to consider whether an aerospace institute is a funding priority for the Legislature at this point in time.

5) Related and prior legislation. ACR 145 (Lackey, 2018) declares the Legislature’s support for the creation of a California Institute for Aerospace in southern California’s Antelope Valley. ACR 145 is pending on the Senate Floor.

AB 240 (Lackey, 2017) requested the Regents of the University of California (UC) to establish the California Institute for Aerospace. AB 240 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 427 (Muratsuchi, 2017) would have established the California Aerospace and Aviation Commission for the purpose of serving as a central point of contact for related industries and to support the health and competitiveness of these industries in California. AB 427 passed the Assembly but was never heard in the Senate.

AB 2600 (Lackey, 2016) requested the Regents of the UC to establish the California Institute for Aerospace. AB 2600 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SUPPORT

California Chamber of Commerce

California Manufacturers & Technology Association

Computing Technology Industry Association

OPPOSITION

None received

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