SF 1301

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; clarifying state funding policy for public
postsecondary education; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 135A.01;
135A.031, subdivisions 1, 7; 135A.034, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 135A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006,
sections 135A.031, subdivisions 2, 3, 5, 6; 135A.032; 135A.033; 135A.045;
135A.053; Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, sections 3,
subdivision 3; 4, subdivision 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.01, is amended to read:

135A.01 FUNDING POLICY.

It is the policy of the legislature to provide stable funding deleted text begin , including recognition
of the effects of inflation, deleted text end for deleted text begin instructional services at deleted text end public postsecondary institutions
and that the state and students share the cost of deleted text begin those services deleted text end new text begin postsecondary education new text end .
The legislature intends to provide at least 67 percent of the deleted text begin instructional services costs for
each postsecondary system deleted text end new text begin combined revenue from tuition, fees, and state general fund
appropriations to public postsecondary institutions new text end . It is also the policy of the legislature
that the budgetary process serves to support high quality public postsecondary education.

Sec. 2.

new text begin [135A.011] STATE HIGHER EDUCATION OBJECTIVES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Statewide objectives. new text end

new text begin Minnesota's higher education investment
is made in pursuit of the following objectives: (1) to ensure quality by providing a
level of excellence that is competitive on a national and international level, through
high quality teaching, scholarship, and learning in a broad range of arts and sciences,
technical education, and professional fields; (2) to foster student success by enabling
and encouraging students to choose institutions and programs that are best suited for
their talents and abilities, and to provide an educational climate that supports students
in pursuing their goals and aspirations; (3) to promote democratic values and enhance
Minnesota's quality of life by developing understanding and appreciation of a free and
diverse society; (4) to maintain access by providing an opportunity for all Minnesotans,
regardless of personal circumstances, to participate in higher education; and (5) to enhance
the economy by assisting the state in being competitive in the world market, and to prepare
a highly skilled and adaptable workforce that meets Minnesota's opportunities and needs.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.031, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Determination of appropriation.

The deleted text begin direct appropriation to each
board for instructional services shall equal 67 percent of the estimated total cost of
instruction deleted text end new text begin appropriations new text end for the University of Minnesota deleted text begin , the state universities, and the
community colleges, and, for technical colleges, at least 67 percent of the estimated total
cost of instruction deleted text end new text begin and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities are determined
by considering the biennial budget documents submitted under section 135A.034,
performance in advancing the objectives under section 135A.011, available resources
according to the state budget forecast, the relative balance between state support for
students and public postsecondary institutions, and other factors the legislature considers
important in determining the level of state appropriations for public postsecondary
education new text end .

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.031, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Reports.

new text begin (a) new text end Instructional new text begin and noninstructional new text end expenditure new text begin data new text end and
enrollment data deleted text begin for each instructional category shall be submitted in the biennial budget
document deleted text end new text begin must be submitted in the biennial budget document under section 135A.034.
This report must include a description of the methodology for determining instructional
and noninstructional expenditures and estimates of inflation in higher education and the
methodology or index used to determine the inflation rate new text end .

new text begin (b) By February 1 of each even-numbered year, the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota and the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities must submit a report to the chairs of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over higher education policy and finance. The report must describe the
following:
new text end

new text begin (1) how state appropriations made to the system in the previous odd-numbered year
were allocated and the methodology used to determine the allocation;
new text end

new text begin (2) data describing how the institution reallocated resources to advance the priorities
set forth in the budget submitted under section 135A.034 and the statewide objectives
under section 135A.011. The information must describe which institutional units or
programs experienced a reduction in resources and which institutional units or programs
received additional resources. The total amount reallocated must be clearly explained;
new text end

new text begin (3) the tuition rates and fees established by the governing board in each of the past
ten years and comparison data for peer institutions and national averages;
new text end

new text begin (4) data on the number and proportion of students graduating within four, five,
and six years as reported in the integrated postsecondary education data system. These
data must be provided for each campus by race, ethnicity, gender, and first generation
student status. Data and information must be submitted that describe the system's plan
and progress toward attaining the goals set forth in the plan to increase the proportion of
students that graduate within four, five, or six years after beginning their postsecondary
education;
new text end

new text begin (5) data on, and the methodology used to measure, the number of first generation
students admitted to the system's campuses. Data and information must be submitted that
describe the system's plan and progress toward attaining the goals set forth in the plan to
increase the recruitment, retention, and timely graduation of first generation students;
new text end

new text begin (6) data on the revenue received, from all sources, to support research activities.
Data and information must be submitted that describe the system's plan and progress
toward attaining the goals set forth in the plan to increase the revenue received to support
research activities; and
new text end

new text begin (7) data on the system's efforts to license, sell, or otherwise market products, ideas,
technology, and related inventions created in whole or in part by the system. Data and
information must be submitted that describe the system's plan and progress toward
attaining the goals set forth in the plan to increase the revenue received from the licensing,
sale, or other marketing and technology transfer activities by the system.
new text end

new text begin (c) Each postsecondary governing board shall report on any petroleum tank release
cleanup fund reimbursements as part of each biennial budget request. The board shall
specify its costs in relation to any tank removal, replacement, and cleanup and shall
identify all petroleum tank release cleanup fund reimbursements it received or assigned
and the specific activity for which the reimbursement or assignment was made. The board
must place all reimbursements it receives into its capital repair and betterment account.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.034, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Operating budget.

The governing boards of the University of
Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall each develop, for
legislative and executive branch acceptance, its highest budget priorities in accordance
with statewide objectives for higher education new text begin under section 135A.011 new text end . deleted text begin It is the intent
of the legislature to appropriate at least 67 percent of the total cost of instruction after
adjusting for inflation and enrollment changes. However, in the event of a budget shortfall,
or if funding of inflation is not possible, available funding shall first be applied to the
agreed upon budget priorities.
deleted text end

Sec. 6. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 135A.031, subdivisions 2, 3, 5, and 6;
135A.032; 135A.033; 135A.045; and 135A.053, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, sections 3, subdivision 3;
and 4, subdivision 5, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end