AB-1858 • 2026

California State University: Joint Associate’s Degree Pilot Program.

Budget Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Lowenthal
Last action: 2026-06-09
Official status: In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify if CSULB must participate in the pilot program or if other campuses are required to join. It only mandates that CSULB participates and authorizes the Chancellor to include additional campuses.

California State University Joint Associate’s Degree Pilot Program

This law requires the Chancellor of California State University to create a pilot program offering free associate degrees in general education studies for former CSU students who have completed equivalent coursework but did not earn an associate degree.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Chancellor of California State University (CSU) to start a pilot program offering joint associate degrees with community colleges or other higher education institutions.
The pilot program will give free associate degrees in general education studies to former CSU students who have completed coursework equivalent to an associate degree but did not earn one before leaving CSU.
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) must take part in the pilot program.
Allows the Chancellor to include other CSU campuses in the pilot program.
Requires a report on the effectiveness of the pilot program by January 1, 2032.

Who It Names or Affects

Former California State University students who have completed coursework equivalent to an associate degree but did not earn one before leaving CSU.
California State University campuses and community colleges or other higher education institutions participating in the pilot program.

Terms To Know

Pilot Program: A small-scale test of a new idea to see if it works well before making it bigger.
Chancellor: The leader or chief administrator of the California State University system.

Limits and Unknowns

The program will end on June 30, 2032.
It is not clear how many students will benefit from this pilot program.
The bill requires funding to be approved by the Legislature for it to take effect.

Bill History

2026-06-09 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2026-06-08 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED.
2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ED.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 5208.)
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-27 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 21).
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HIGHER ED. Read second time and amended.
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
2026-02-12 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1858, as amended, Lowenthal.
California State University: Joint Associate’s Degree Pilot Program.
Existing law sets forth the missions and functions of California’s public and independent segments of higher education, and details the ways in which their respective institutions are to be differentiated. Existing law specifies that the California State University shall offer undergraduate and graduate instruction through the master’s degree in the liberal arts and sciences and professional education.
This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would require the Chancellor of the California State University to establish a pilot program to offer an associate degree in general education studies that is jointly conferred by a California State University campus and a community college or independent institution of higher education that awards associate degrees to former California State University students who are no longer enrolled at a
California State University campus but have successfully completed coursework equivalent to the requirements for an associate degree and not previously earned an associate degree. The bill would require the associate degree to be awarded at no cost to the former student. The bill would require California State University, Long Beach, to participate in the pilot program and would authorize the chancellor to include additional California State University campuses in the pilot program. The bill would require the chancellor, on or before January 1, 2032, to submit a report to the Legislature evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot program, as provided.
The bill would make these provisions inoperative on June 30, 2032, and would repeal them as of January 1, 2033.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF