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                                 SENATE AMENDED
        PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 666, 1789                PRINTER'S NO. 2305

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE BILL

No. 564 Session of 2003


        INTRODUCED BY BUNT, DeWEESE, HARPER, CURRY, BARD, BELFANTI,
           CAPPELLI, CIVERA, CLYMER, DAILEY, DALEY, DALLY, FREEMAN,
           GODSHALL, HARHART, HENNESSEY, HERMAN, HORSEY, JAMES, JOSEPHS,
           LaGROTTA, LAUGHLIN, LEH, MANN, MARKOSEK, NAILOR, ROSS,
           RUBLEY, SAYLOR, SEMMEL, E. Z. TAYLOR, THOMAS, TRAVAGLIO,
           TURZAI, VANCE, WEBER, WILT, YOUNGBLOOD, YUDICHAK, WASHINGTON,
           ROEBUCK, SCAVELLO, LEWIS, SAMUELSON, WOJNAROSKI AND ADOLPH,
           MARCH 3, 2003

        SENATOR THOMPSON, APPROPRIATIONS, IN SENATE, RE-REPORTED AS
           AMENDED, JUNE 30, 2003

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
     2     act relating to the public school system, including certain
     3     provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
     4     schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
     5     laws relating thereto," further providing for community
     6     college financial programs and reimbursements; establishing    <--
     7     the Community College Nonmandated Capital Fund PROVIDING FOR   <--
     8     NONMANDATED CAPITAL; and abrogating a regulation.

     9     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    10  hereby enacts as follows:
    11     Section 1.  Section 1902-A of the act of March 10, 1949
    12  (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, added
    13  July 1, 1985 (P.L.103, No.31), is amended to read:
    14     Section 1902-A.  Powers and Duties of State Board of
    15  Education.--(a)  The State Board of Education shall have the
    16  power, and its duty shall be:
    17     (1)  To adopt such policies, standards, rules and regulations

     1  formulated by the Council of Higher Education, as may be
     2  necessary to provide for the establishment, operation and
     3  maintenance of community colleges, including minimum
     4  requirements for physical facilities and equipment, curriculum,
     5  faculty, standards and professional requirements, qualifications
     6  for admission and advancement of students, student enrollment,
     7  student population of the area to be served by the community
     8  college, requirements for satisfactory completion of a two-year
     9  program and the degrees or diplomas or certificates to be
    10  awarded therefor, means of financing and financial resources for
    11  the establishment and support of the community college, and all
    12  matters necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
    13     (2)  To approve or disapprove plans for the establishment or
    14  operation of a community college.
    15     (3)  To approve or disapprove petitions of school districts
    16  or municipalities applying for participation in an established
    17  community college. No petition may be approved unless it is
    18  accompanied by the consent of the governing bodies of the
    19  majority of the members of the local sponsor of the established
    20  community college to the participation of the petitioning school
    21  district or municipality.
    22     (b)  In determining such policies, standards, rules and
    23  regulations, the State Board of Education may consider relevant
    24  all minimum requirements established by statute or by regulation
    25  with respect to the State colleges and universities of the
    26  Commonwealth and may consider relevant such minimum requirements
    27  established by statute or by regulation with respect to
    28  secondary and special education programs in the school district
    29  or districts of the area to be served by the community college.
    30  Regulations promulgated under this article shall take effect at
    20030H0564B2305                  - 2 -     

     1  the beginning of the school year following promulgation.
     2     (c)  In approving or disapproving such plans, the State Board
     3  of Education shall consider the needs of areas adjacent to the
     4  areas to be served by the community college and of the State
     5  with respect to higher education and long range plans therefor
     6  established by the State Board of Education. Other school
     7  districts and municipalities may petition the State Board of
     8  Education to become a part of a local sponsor as hereafter in
     9  this act provided.
    10     (d)  No plan for the establishment of a community college
    11  shall be approved unless the State Board of Education determines
    12  that the local sponsor has a population of a sufficient number
    13  to assure a sustained minimum enrollment, has sufficient wealth
    14  to financially support such college and is not adequately served
    15  by established institutions of higher learning. No plan for the
    16  establishment of a community college shall be approved unless it
    17  contains an estimate of operating cost for administration,
    18  instruction, operation and maintenance and such other accounts
    19  as the State Board of Education may, from time to time,
    20  determine. No plan for the establishment of a community college
    21  shall be approved unless it contains an estimate of any proposed
    22  capital improvements for the next following ten years.
    23     (e)  To confer with and obtain the approval of the Governor's
    24  Office as to the number of community colleges which can be
    25  approved for participation during the ensuing fiscal period.
    26     (f)  Wherever in this act the approval of the State Board of
    27  Education is required in any matter, the State Board of
    28  Education may require the Department of Education to make and
    29  report its findings and recommendations on such matter to the
    30  Council of Higher Education for the formulation of policies,
    20030H0564B2305                  - 3 -     

     1  standards, rules and regulations for consideration by the State
     2  Board of Education.
     3     Section 2.  Section 1913-A of the act, amended or added July
     4  1, 1985 (P.L.103, No.31), October 20, 1988 (P.L.827, No.110),
     5  June 7, 1993 (P.L.49, No.16) and June 22, 2001 (P.L.530, No.35),
     6  is amended to read:
     7     Section 1913-A.  Financial Program; Reimbursement of
     8  Payments.--(a)  The plan submitted by the local sponsor shall
     9  set forth a financial program for the operation of the community
    10  college. The plan shall provide that the local sponsor shall
    11  appropriate or provide to the community college an amount at
    12  least equal to the community college's annual operating costs
    13  less the student tuition as determined in section 1908-A(a) less
    14  the Commonwealth's payment as determined in subsection (b)(1) of
    15  this section. The plan shall also provide that one-half of the
    16  annual capital expenses shall be appropriated or provided by the
    17  local sponsor to the community college. The local sponsor's
    18  appropriation for annual operating costs and annual capital
    19  expenses may in part be represented by real or personal property
    20  or services made available to the community college. The plan
    21  shall indicate whether the appropriation shall come from general
    22  revenues, loan funds, special tax levies or from other sources,
    23  including student tuitions.
    24     (b)  (1)  The Commonwealth shall pay to a community college
    25  on behalf of the sponsor on account of its operating costs
    26  during the fiscal year from funds appropriated for that purpose
    27  an amount equal to:
    28     (i)  for the 1993-1994 fiscal year through the 2000-2001
    29  fiscal year, the lesser of such college's variable State share
    30  ceiling as determined in clause (1.3) or such college's
    20030H0564B2305                  - 4 -     

     1  equivalent full-time student reimbursement as determined in
     2  clause (1.4); and
     3     (ii)  for the 2001-2002 fiscal year and each fiscal year
     4  thereafter, the college's equivalent full-time student
     5  reimbursement as determined in clause (1.4).
     6     (1.2)  The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the
     7  community colleges, shall promulgate standards for credit
     8  courses and for noncredit courses that will be eligible for
     9  Commonwealth reimbursement. The standards shall specifically
    10  exclude from eligibility for reimbursement any course or program
    11  in avocational or recreational pursuits. The standards shall be
    12  promulgated by the beginning of the 1994-1995 fiscal year. Until
    13  such standards are promulgated, no community college will be
    14  reimbursed for any credit course which was offered by such
    15  college as a noncredit course during the college's 1992-1993
    16  fiscal year.
    17     (1.3)  The variable State share ceiling of a community
    18  college shall be determined as follows:
    19     (i)  Subtract the taxable income per person of the local
    20  sponsor from the highest taxable income per person of any county
    21  in the Commonwealth.
    22     (ii)  Divide the amount determined under subclause (i) by the
    23  difference between the highest taxable income per person of any
    24  county in the Commonwealth and the lowest taxable income per
    25  person of any county in the Commonwealth.
    26     (iii)  Multiply the quotient determined under subclause (ii)
    27  by one-sixth.
    28     (iv)  Add one-third to the product determined under paragraph
    29  (iii).
    30     (v)  Multiply the sum determined under subclause (iv) by the
    20030H0564B2305                  - 5 -     

     1  community college's operating costs in the year for which
     2  reimbursement is being claimed.
     3     (vi)  The taxable income per person data used in the
     4  preceding calculation shall be data certified to the Secretary
     5  of Education by the Secretary of Revenue under section 2501(9.1)
     6  for school district local sponsors or data otherwise published
     7  by the Secretary of Revenue for a municipal local sponsor.
     8     (1.4)  The equivalent full-time student reimbursement of a
     9  community college shall be the sum of credit course, noncredit
    10  course and stipend reimbursements. These reimbursements shall be
    11  calculated using a reimbursement factor of one thousand and
    12  forty dollars ($1,040) for the 1993-1994 fiscal year, of one
    13  thousand eighty dollars ($1,080) for the 1994-1995 fiscal year
    14  and of one thousand one hundred eighty dollars ($1,180) for the
    15  1995-1996 fiscal year and one thousand and two hundred and ten
    16  dollars ($1,210) for the 1996-1997 fiscal year and one thousand
    17  two hundred sixty dollars ($1,260) for the 1997-1998 fiscal year
    18  and the 1998-1999 fiscal year and one thousand three hundred
    19  dollars ($1,300) for the 1999-2000 fiscal year and one thousand
    20  four hundred dollars ($1,400) for the 2000-2001 fiscal year and
    21  one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for the 2001-2002
    22  fiscal year and for each year thereafter and shall be determined
    23  as follows:
    24     (i)  Credit course reimbursement shall be calculated by
    25  multiplying the reimbursement factor by the number of equivalent
    26  full-time students enrolled in credit courses as determined by
    27  an audit to be made in a manner prescribed by the State Board of
    28  Education. The following apply:
    29     (A)  Course enrollment is to be determined by the standards
    30  of the community college.
    20030H0564B2305                  - 6 -     

     1     (B)  Computer-based documentation or paper-based
     2  documentation may be used to verify enrollment.
     3     (C)  Enrollment in a program of study is to be determined
     4  solely by the declaration of the student.
     5     (ii)  Noncredit course reimbursement shall be calculated as
     6  follows:
     7     (A)  [eighty] Eighty percent (80%) of the reimbursement
     8  factor multiplied by the number of equivalent full-time students
     9  enrolled in eligible noncredit courses for the 1993-1994 fiscal
    10  year, as determined by the audit referred to in paragraph
    11  (i)[;].
    12     (B)  [seventy] Seventy EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN CHAPTER 15 OF     <--
    13  THE ACT OF DECEMBER 18, 2001 (P.L.949, NO.114), KNOWN AS THE
    14  "WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACT," SEVENTY percent (70%) of the
    15  reimbursement factor multiplied by the number of equivalent
    16  full-time students enrolled in eligible noncredit courses for
    17  the 1994-1995 fiscal year and for each year thereafter, as
    18  determined by the audit referred to in paragraph (i)[; or].
    19     (C)  [one] One hundred percent (100%) of the reimbursement
    20  factor multiplied by the number of equivalent full-time students
    21  enrolled in eligible noncredit public safety courses that
    22  provide training for volunteer firefighters and emergency
    23  medical services for the 1995-1996 fiscal year and for each year
    24  thereafter, as determined by the audit referred to in paragraph
    25  (i). In calculating the number of equivalent full-time students   <--
    26  enrolled in eligible noncredit courses, each fifteen hours of
    27  classroom work and laboratory work shall be equated to one
    28  semester credit for reimbursement purposes.
    29     (D)  Ninety percent (90%) of the reimbursement factor
    30  multiplied by the number of full-time students enrolled in
    20030H0564B2305                  - 7 -     

     1  eligible noncredit work force development courses; adult
     2  literacy courses, including, but not limited to, adult basic
     3  education, the general educational development (GED) diploma and
     4  English as a second language; and continuing professional
     5  education courses for the 2003-2004 fiscal year and for each
     6  year thereafter, as determined by the audit referred to in
     7  paragraph (i). For purposes of reimbursement under this section,
     8  "work force development course" shall have the meaning given in
     9  section 1502 of the act of December 18, 2001 (P.L.949, No.114),
    10  known as the Workforce Development Act.
    11     (E) (D)  A noncredit course is eligible for reimbursement if   <--
    12  any of the following apply:
    13     (I)  The course is in the area of public safety; adult basic
    14  education or adult literacy; work force development;
    15  occupational skills; academics; or a program for certification
    16  in accordance with standards established by statute, regulation
    17  or appropriate industry.
    18     (II)  Regardless of whether the instructor's compensation is
    19  paid directly by the community college or paid by an entity that
    20  contracts with the community college, the community college is
    21  responsible for selecting; supervising; and, if appropriate,
    22  dismissing the instructor.
    23     (F) (E)  Course enrollment is to be determined by the          <--
    24  standards of the community college.
    25     (iii)  Stipend reimbursement on account of a community
    26  college's operating costs for all equivalent full-time students
    27  enrolled in the following categories of two-year or less than
    28  two-year occupational or technical programs, shall be the sum of
    29  the following:
    30     (A)  One thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100) per full-time
    20030H0564B2305                  - 8 -     

     1  equivalent student enrolled in advanced technology programs. For
     2  the fiscal year 1995-1996, 1996-1997 and 1997-1998, the
     3  reimbursement rate shall be calculated at one thousand one
     4  hundred seventy-five dollars ($1,175) per full-time equivalent
     5  student enrolled in advanced technology programs. For the fiscal
     6  year 1998-1999 and each year thereafter, the reimbursement rate
     7  shall be calculated at one thousand four hundred sixty dollars
     8  ($1,460) per full-time equivalent student enrolled in advanced
     9  technology programs. Advanced technology programs are programs
    10  using new or advanced technologies which hold promise for
    11  creating new job opportunities, including such fields as
    12  robotics, biotechnology, specialized materials and engineering
    13  and engineering-related programs.
    14     (B)  One thousand dollars ($1,000) per full-time equivalent
    15  student enrolled in programs designated as Statewide programs.
    16  For the fiscal year 1995-1996, 1996-1997 and 1997-1998, the
    17  reimbursement rate shall be calculated at one thousand seventy-
    18  five dollars ($1,075) per full-time equivalent student enrolled
    19  in programs designated as Statewide programs. For the fiscal
    20  year 1998-1999 and each year thereafter, the reimbursement rate
    21  shall be calculated at one thousand three hundred sixty dollars
    22  ($1,360) per full-time equivalent student enrolled in programs
    23  designated as Statewide programs. A Statewide program is a
    24  program which meets one or more of the following criteria:
    25     (I)  Program enrollment from out-of-sponsor area is twenty
    26  per cent or more of the enrollment for the program.
    27     (II)  A consortial arrangement exists with another community
    28  college to cooperatively operate a program or share regions in
    29  order to avoid unnecessary program duplication.
    30     (C)  Five hundred dollars ($500) per full-time equivalent
    20030H0564B2305                  - 9 -     

     1  student enrolled in other occupational or technical programs.
     2  For the fiscal year 1995-1996, 1996-1997 and 1997-1998, the
     3  reimbursement rate shall be calculated at five hundred seventy-
     4  five dollars ($575) per full-time equivalent student enrolled in
     5  other occupational or technical programs. For the fiscal year
     6  1998-1999 and each year thereafter, the reimbursement rate shall
     7  be calculated at eight hundred sixty dollars ($860) per full-
     8  time equivalent student enrolled in other occupational or
     9  technical programs.
    10     (2)  For the 1993-1994 fiscal year, each community college
    11  shall be reimbursed under clause (1) in an amount which is at
    12  least equal to a one percent (1%) increase over its 1992-1993
    13  operating cost and stipend reimbursement. In no case shall a
    14  community college's 1993-1994 reimbursement under clause (1) per
    15  full-time equivalent student, insofar as said reimbursement does
    16  not include a proportionate share attributable to stipend
    17  reimbursement under clause (1.4)(iii), exceed its 1992-1993
    18  operating cost reimbursement per full-time equivalent student by
    19  more than ten percent (10%).
    20     (2.1)  For the 1994-1995 fiscal year, each community college
    21  shall be reimbursed under clause (1) in an amount which is at
    22  least equal to a one percent (1%) increase over its 1993-1994
    23  reimbursement under clause (1). In no case shall a community
    24  college's 1994-1995 reimbursement under clause (1) per full-time
    25  equivalent student, insofar as said reimbursement does not
    26  include the proportionate share attributable to stipend
    27  reimbursement under clause (1.4)(iii), exceed its 1993-1994
    28  reimbursement under clause (1) per full-time equivalent student,
    29  insofar as said reimbursement does not include the proportionate
    30  share attributable to stipend reimbursement under clause
    20030H0564B2305                 - 10 -     

     1  (1.4)(iii) by more than ten percent (10%).
     2     (2.2)  For the 1995-1996 fiscal year, each community college
     3  shall be reimbursed under clause (1) in an amount which is at
     4  least equal to its 1994-1995 reimbursement under clause (1).
     5     (3)  The [Secretary] Department of Education [annually] shall
     6  [establish] promulgate regulations establishing criteria to be
     7  used to determine eligibility of programs for each of the above
     8  stipend categories[,]. The department shall approve programs for
     9  funding [in the following fiscal year] according to these
    10  [criteria and] regulations. The Secretary of Education shall
    11  submit to chairmen of the committees of education in the House
    12  of Representatives and Senate a report setting forth [the
    13  established criteria,] any programs approved for funding under
    14  these [criteria] regulations and the recipient community
    15  colleges.
    16     (4)  Each community college shall maintain such accounting
    17  and student attendance records on generally accepted auditing
    18  principles and standards [as will lend themselves to
    19  satisfactory audit]. Beginning with the 2003-2004 fiscal year
    20  and each year thereafter, the department must complete an audit
    21  of a community college for a school year within one year after
    22  the completion of that school year. If the department does not
    23  meet the time requirement of this clause, the community college
    24  affected shall be required to forfeit reimbursement only for an
    25  intentional violation or for a violation of previously cited and
    26  resolved findings. The Commonwealth shall pay to a community
    27  college on behalf of the sponsor on account of its capital
    28  expenses an amount equal to one-half of such college's annual
    29  capital expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose to the
    30  extent that said capital expenses have been approved as herein
    20030H0564B2305                 - 11 -     

     1  provided.
     2     (5)  For purposes of determining Commonwealth reimbursement
     3  of operating costs, Federally funded expenditures for those
     4  programs in which the Commonwealth participates in the cost
     5  shall be deducted from total operating expenditures to determine
     6  net reimbursable operating costs.
     7     (c)  Capital expenses shall mean only such expenses as are
     8  incurred with the approval of the Department of Education for
     9  amortization of the purchase of lands; purchase, construction or
    10  improvement of buildings for administrative and instructional
    11  purposes, including libraries; the lease of lands or buildings,
    12  or for rentals to an authority for the same purpose; and for the
    13  purchase, lease or rental of capital equipment and furniture
    14  used for instructional or administrative purposes. Capital
    15  expenses shall include library books and complementary audio-
    16  visual equipment purchased during the first five years after
    17  establishment. For the purpose of calculating the Commonwealth's
    18  share of operating, and capital costs incurred prior to the
    19  actual admission of students to a community college, all such
    20  costs shall be interpreted as capital costs. No costs and
    21  expenses incurred in the establishment, construction, operation
    22  or maintenance of dormitories, or the equipment or furnishings
    23  for such purposes, shall be included in capital expenses or
    24  operating costs for purposes of Commonwealth reimbursement. The
    25  provisions of this subsection shall not prevent the Commonwealth
    26  from reimbursing a community college for capital expenses
    27  incurred prior to the effective date of this act. Such
    28  reimbursement must have approval of the Secretary of Education.
    29     (d)  The State Board of Education shall adopt policies,
    30  standards, rules and regulations for determining reimbursable
    20030H0564B2305                 - 12 -     

     1  capital expenses and operating costs, and the Department of
     2  Education shall approve such expenses and costs for the purpose
     3  of reimbursement by the Commonwealth.
     4     (e)  The State Board of Education shall apply for, receive
     5  and administer, subject to any applicable regulations or laws of
     6  the Federal Government or any agency thereof, any Federal
     7  grants, appropriations, allocations and programs to fulfill the
     8  purpose of this act.
     9     (f)  All administrative personnel, faculty, and other
    10  employes of the community colleges in the Commonwealth shall be
    11  eligible for inclusion in the Public School Employees'
    12  Retirement System of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State
    13  Employees' Retirement System, or any independent retirement
    14  program approved by the Board of Trustees of a community
    15  college, and the Secretary of Education.
    16     (g)  The community college in the Commonwealth shall be
    17  eligible for participation in the act of July 5, 1947 (P.L.1217,
    18  No.498), known as the "State Public School Building Authority
    19  Act," and [the act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), known as
    20  the "Municipality Authorities Act of 1945."] 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56
    21  (relating to municipal authorities).
    22     (h)  In all cases where the board of trustees of any
    23  community college fails to pay or provide for the payment of any
    24  rental or rentals due the State Public School Building Authority
    25  or any municipality authority for any period in accordance with
    26  the terms of any lease entered into between the board of
    27  trustees of any community college and the State Public School
    28  Building Authority or any municipality authority, or fails to
    29  pay or to provide for the payment of any other indebtedness when
    30  due, upon written notice thereof from the State Public School
    20030H0564B2305                 - 13 -     

     1  Building Authority or any municipality authority, or in such
     2  cases where an audit reveals any unpaid indebtedness due, the
     3  Secretary of Education shall notify the board of trustees of its
     4  obligation and shall withhold out of any State appropriation
     5  that may be due to such community college an amount equal to the
     6  amount of rental or rentals owing by such board of trustees to
     7  the State Public School Building Authority or any municipality
     8  authority, or an amount equal to the amount of any other
     9  indebtedness owing by such board of trustees, and shall pay over
    10  the amount or amounts so withheld to the State Public School
    11  Building Authority or any municipality authority or to
    12  whomsoever any other indebtedness is due and owing.
    13     (i)  The amount payable to each community college Board of
    14  Trustees on behalf of the sponsor shall be paid in the year in
    15  which the costs and expenses are incurred in quarterly
    16  installments and the Secretary of Education shall draw his
    17  requisition quarterly upon the State Treasurer in favor of each
    18  community college for the amount of reimbursement to which it is
    19  entitled. Reimbursement or payment by the Commonwealth for the
    20  operational expenses and capital equipment and the furnishings
    21  shall be made on or before the end of the fiscal quarters ended
    22  on September 30, December 31, March 31 and June 30 of each
    23  Commonwealth fiscal year. Reimbursements or payments shall be
    24  made semi-annually for the Commonwealth's share of the annual
    25  rentals to an authority or the sponsor or sinking fund or debt-
    26  service payments and other leases upon submission of a community
    27  college requisition in the form required by the Commonwealth,
    28  the reimbursement or payment to be made from funds appropriated
    29  for that purpose. Money that is appropriated under this
    30  subsection but not expended by a community college Board of
    20030H0564B2305                 - 14 -     

     1  Trustees shall not be distributed to a local sponsor.
     2     (j)  In no event shall the payments or final reimbursement
     3  made by the department following audit exceed the appropriation
     4  available for community colleges.
     5     (k)  (1)  Unless otherwise prescribed by the State Board of
     6  Education, the Commonwealth's fiscal audits of community
     7  colleges under this section shall be conducted in accordance
     8  with "Government Auditing Standards," latest revision,
     9  promulgated by the United States General Accounting Office.
    10  Written audit reports will be produced and will be sent to the
    11  community college by the Commissioner of Postsecondary/Higher
    12  Education. Any cost disallowed under findings contained in the
    13  audit report shall be considered an adjudication within the
    14  meaning of 2 Pa.C.S. (relating to administrative law and
    15  procedure) and regulations promulgated thereunder.
    16     (2)  The Secretary of Education is hereby specifically
    17  authorized and shall be required to resolve audit findings
    18  involving disallowed costs that are contested by community
    19  colleges except for audit findings that involve mathematical
    20  errors, violation of regulations or alleged illegal activities.
    21  The proposed resolution of the Secretary of Education shall not
    22  be subject to the provisions of 2 Pa.C.S. The Secretary of
    23  Education's notice to resolve audit findings shall be sent to
    24  the community college in writing. The Secretary of Education may
    25  resolve the audit findings by reducing the disallowed costs
    26  related thereto in whole or in part.
    27     (3)  The Secretary of Education's notice to resolve an audit
    28  finding by reducing or eliminating the disallowed costs must be
    29  made contingent upon the community college developing and
    30  implementing a corrective action plan to address the audit
    20030H0564B2305                 - 15 -     

     1  finding. The community college must submit a corrective action
     2  plan to the Secretary of Education within 60 business days after
     3  receipt of the Secretary of Education's written notice to
     4  resolve the audit finding. The Secretary of Education shall
     5  approve, reject or alter the plan submitted by the community
     6  college within thirty (30) days of submission. After the
     7  community college receives written notice of approval or agrees
     8  in writing to the Secretary of Education's alterations of the
     9  corrective action plan, said plan shall be implemented and shall
    10  be binding on the community college. Implementation of the
    11  approved or agreed upon corrective action plan will be verified
    12  by an audit conducted by the department no later than the end of
    13  the fiscal year following the fiscal year during which the plan
    14  is implemented. If no agreed upon corrective action plan is in
    15  place within one year after the date of the Secretary of
    16  Education's written notice to resolve audit findings or if the
    17  agreed upon corrective action has not been implemented within
    18  one year after the date of the Secretary of Education's written
    19  notice to resolve the audit findings, then the Secretary of
    20  Education is authorized to adjust payments to the community
    21  college to collect any amounts due based upon the findings
    22  contained in the audit report that was issued to the college by
    23  the commissioner.
    24     (4)  The department shall deduct any amounts due the
    25  Commonwealth as a result of audit findings that are resolved
    26  under this subsection from any future payment due to the
    27  community college from the Commonwealth. The Secretary of
    28  Education is authorized to approve a payment schedule in cases
    29  where immediate repayment of the full amount due the
    30  Commonwealth would jeopardize the ability of the community
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     1  college to continue operations.
     2     (5)  Resolution authority provided to the Secretary of
     3  Education in this subsection shall be limited to disallowed cost
     4  findings relating to policy and/or administrative practices. The
     5  resolution authority shall not be used for audit findings in
     6  which the audited community college data and documentation is in
     7  error, where a violation of applicable law or regulation is
     8  found or where criminal violations are suspected by the
     9  Commonwealth auditors and brought to the Secretary of
    10  Education's attention in writing. Notwithstanding the
    11  limitations of this subsection, until June 30, 1995, the
    12  Secretary of Education is authorized to resolve audit findings
    13  involving disallowed costs for fiscal years prior to and
    14  including 1992-1993 when such disallowed costs result from
    15  violation of regulations.
    16     (6)  The department, through the Secretary of Education, is
    17  authorized to issue guidelines for the operation of the
    18  community college educational and financial programs. The
    19  department shall amend these guidelines on an annual basis to
    20  reflect the department's position on issues that require
    21  resolution under this subsection.
    22     (7)  The provisions of subsection (d) are repealed insofar as
    23  they are inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection.
    24     (l)  For the fiscal year 1992-1993, if insufficient funds are
    25  appropriated to make Commonwealth payments pursuant to this
    26  section, such payments shall be made on a pro rata basis.
    27     Section 3.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:
    28     Section 1916-A.  Community College Nonmandated Capital         <--
    29  Fund.--(a)  The Community College Nonmandated Capital Fund is
    30  established as a separate fund in the State Treasury.
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     1     (b)  The sources of the fund are as follows:
     2     (1)  Reimbursements repaid by community colleges to the
     3  Commonwealth pursuant to audits under section 1913-A and
     4  regulations under that section.
     5     (2)  Appropriations.
     6     (3)  Earnings on money in the fund.
     7     (c)  The fund shall be used for nonmandated capital projects
     8  in community colleges. Guidelines for disbursement shall be
     9  developed by the Department of Education in consultation with
    10  community colleges.
    11     (d)  The money in the fund is continuously appropriated to
    12  the fund and shall not lapse at the end of any fiscal year.
    13     SECTION 1916-A.  NONMANDATED CAPITAL.--REIMBURSEMENTS REPAID   <--
    14  BY COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO THE COMMONWEALTH PURSUANT TO AUDITS
    15  UNDER SECTION 1913-A AND REGULATIONS UNDER THAT SECTION SHALL BE
    16  USED ONLY FOR NONMANDATED CAPITAL PROJECTS IN COMMUNITY
    17  COLLEGES. GUIDELINES FOR DISBURSEMENT SHALL BE DEVELOPED BY THE
    18  DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN CONSULTATION WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
    19     Section 4.  The following provisions of 22 Pa. Code are
    20  abrogated:
    21         (1)  Section 35.61(f)(2).
    22         (2)  Section 335.22(3).
    23     Section 5.  This act shall take effect in 60 days              <--
    24  IMMEDIATELY.                                                      <--




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