74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 2488
 
                         Senate Bill 247
 
Sponsored by Senator WALKER; Senator GORDLY, Representatives
  DALLUM, GARRARD
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Establishes Oregon Scholars Pilot Program at Klamath Community
College. Directs Oregon Student Assistance Commission to transfer
unused moneys appropriated or allocated for Oregon Opportunity
Grant program to community college for pilot program.
  Directs State Board of Higher Education to expand Access and
Affordability Working Group. Directs working group to study and
make recommendations about statewide expansion of pilot program.
  Declares emergency, effective on passage.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to Oregon Scholars Pilot Program; and declaring an
  emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) During the 2007-2009 biennium, the State
Board of Higher Education shall expand the Access and
Affordability Working Group established by the board by
appointing additional members so that the working group has:
  (a) A member of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission;
  (b) A member of the State Workforce Investment Board who
represents labor;
  (c) A member of the State Workforce Investment Board who
represents management;
  (d) A member who represents the Oregon School Boards
Association or the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators;
  (e) A member who represents the Department of Community
Colleges and Workforce Development;
  (f) A member who represents the Department of Education;
  (g) A member from the Governor's education policy team;
  (h) A member who represents the Associated Oregon Industries;
and
  (i) Two members who are community college presidents.
  (2) In addition to the members of the working group appointed
by the board under subsection (1) of this section, the following
members shall be appointed as nonvoting advisory members:
  (a) A member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the
Senate; and
  (b) A member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  (3) The working group shall study and make recommendations
concerning the statewide expansion of the Oregon Scholars Pilot
Program established under section 2 of this 2007 Act. The working
group shall assist Klamath Community College in implementing the
pilot program.
  (4) Prior to September 1, 2008, the working group shall report
to the legislative interim committees on education. The report
shall include recommendations for legislation to expand the
Oregon Scholars Pilot Program. Prior to February 1, 2009, the
working group shall report to the Legislative Assembly about the
expansion of the pilot program. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + (1) There is established the Oregon Scholars
Pilot Program. Klamath Community College shall administer the
pilot program.
  (2) The purpose of the pilot program is to reimburse qualified
investors who invest in qualified students by paying for the
students' tuition.
  (3) A student must meet the following requirements to qualify
for the pilot program:
  (a) Be a United States citizen and an Oregon resident and
reside within the boundaries of the Klamath Community College
Service District; and
  (b)(A) Complete a one-year certificate program at a community
college in two years or less;
  (B) Complete an associate degree at a community college in four
years or less;
  (C) Complete a bachelor's degree in four years or less; or
  (D) Be a full-time employee and complete a bachelor's degree
within four years after completing an associate degree.
  (4) To qualify for the pilot program, an investor must make
tuition payments to Klamath Community College or the Oregon
Institute of Technology for the tuition of a qualified student.
  (5) After a qualified student completes a certificate program
or a degree program, Klamath Community College shall reimburse
the investor for the amount of tuition paid to Klamath Community
College or the Oregon Institute of Technology on behalf of the
student.
  (6) Klamath Community College shall work with the Access and
Affordability Working Group described in section 1 of this 2007
Act. The community college shall report to the working group
about the operation of the pilot program and any unintended
consequences of the pilot program. + }
  SECTION 3. { +  Notwithstanding any other law appropriating
moneys, the Oregon Student Assistance Commission shall transfer,
on June 30, 2009, to Klamath Community College, any moneys
appropriated or allocated for the 2007-2009 biennium to the
commission for the Oregon Opportunity Grant program that the
commission has not expended prior to June 30, 2009. The community
college shall use any moneys received under this section for the
Oregon Scholars Pilot Program. + }
  SECTION 4.  { + The Oregon Scholars Pilot Program shall first
apply to students who attend Klamath Community College or the
Oregon Institute of Technology during the 2008-2009 academic
year. + }
  SECTION 5.  { + Section 1 of this 2007 Act is repealed on June
30, 2013. + }
  SECTION 6.  { + This 2007 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2007 Act takes effect on its
passage. + }
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