STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
11148
IN ASSEMBLY
April 27, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. HYNDMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Higher Education
AN ACT relating to creating the commission on affordable college educa-
tion to study the participation of community colleges in the educa-
tional opportunity program; and providing for the repeal of such
provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby acknowledges
2 the need for a college education to compete in today's market. Further-
3 more, residents throughout New York state are in need of more affordable
4 higher education options. Currently, twelve out of the thirty SUNY
5 community colleges do not participate in the Educational Opportunity
6 Programs (EOP), which provide vital financial and academic support for
7 thousands of academic and economically disadvantaged New Yorkers
8 throughout the state. Subsequently, community college students from
9 those twelve two-year colleges, who seek to transfer into a four-year
10 school as Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) or EOP applicants
11 risk potentially disqualifying themselves for such financial and academ-
12 ic support programs.
13 § 2. A temporary state commission, to be known as the "commission on
14 affordable college education", is hereby established to examine, evalu-
15 ate and make recommendations concerning the need for the twelve SUNY
16 community colleges to participate in EOP. The commission shall consider
17 the need for additional legislation to amend current eligibility crite-
18 ria for transfer students.
19 § 3. The commission shall consist of thirteen members, to be appointed
20 as follows: three members to be appointed by the governor; three members
21 to be appointed by the temporary president of the senate; three members
22 to be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; two members to be
23 appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and two members to be
24 appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. The members shall have
25 demonstrated expertise in and experience in the field of higher educa-
26 tion, HEOP, or EOP. A chairperson and vice-chairperson of such commis-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00199-01-5
A. 11148 2
1 sion shall be elected by the majority of its members, all members being
2 present.
3 § 4. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for
4 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
5 incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder.
6 § 5. The commission may employ and at pleasure remove such personnel
7 as it may deem necessary for the performance of its functions. Such
8 commission may meet and hold public and/or private hearings within or
9 without the state, and shall have all the powers of a legislative
10 committee pursuant to the legislative law.
11 § 6. For the accomplishment of its purposes, the commission shall be
12 authorized and empowered to undertake any studies, inquiries, surveys or
13 analyses it may deem relevant in cooperation with or by agreement with
14 any other public or private agency.
15 § 7. The commission shall make a report of its findings, including any
16 recommendations for legislative action as it may deem necessary and
17 appropriate, to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and
18 the speaker of the assembly no later than one year after the effective
19 date of this act.
20 § 8. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
21 become a law and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years after
22 such date.
