as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/15/2016 10:07am
A bill for an act
relating to higher education; requiring that technical colleges be separately
administered and funded and made independent from the MnSCU system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
new text begin
The legislature finds that the merger of the technical colleges, community colleges,
and state universities into the MnSCU system has resulted in technical colleges and
technical education being underfunded and falling behind the needs of the state for
technical education and training. The legislature further finds that providing for an
independent technical college system is in the best interests of the state and the state's need
for a thriving and well-funded postsecondary system of technical education.
new text end
new text begin
The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must
submit a plan by January 15, 2017, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committee on higher education finance to establish an independent system of
technical colleges including all of the current technical colleges. The plan must include an
independent leader for the technical colleges and a separate budget for the colleges. The
plan may include components that involve the sharing of facilities and certain programs
with community colleges. The report must include proposed legislation to implement
the plan.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
new text begin
The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must as
part of its budget proposal to the legislature for the 2018-2019 biennium have a separate
itemized budget proposal for technical colleges and technical education.
new text end