AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION (Directs the commissioner of postsecondary education to prepare a strategic plan for public higher education which is aligned with the goals of the board of education's strategic plan.)

S2211

2026 -- S 2211
========
LC003816
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Introduced By:
Senators Acosta, Mack, Valverde, Zurier, DiPalma, and McKenney

Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Sections 16-59-4 and 16-59-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-59 entitled
2
"Council on Postsecondary Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of
3
Education Act]" are hereby amended to read as follows:
4

16-59-4. Powers and duties of the council on postsecondary education.
5
The council on postsecondary education shall have, in addition to those enumerated in §
6
16-59-1, the following powers and duties:
7
(1) To approve a systematic program of information gathering, processing, and analysis
8
addressed to every level, aspect, and form of higher education in this state especially as that
9
information relates to current and future educational needs so that current needs may be met with
10
reasonable promptness and plans formulated to meet future needs as they arise in the most efficient
11
and economical manner possible.
12
(2) To
develop

review
and approve
a

the
strategic plan
, prepared by the commissioner of
13
postsecondary education pursuant to §16-59-6,
implementing broad goals and objectives for higher
14
education in the state as established by the board of education, including a comprehensive capital
15
development program.
16
(3) To formulate broad policy to implement the goals and objectives established and
17
adopted by the board of education; to adopt standards and require enforcement; and to exercise
18
general supervision over all higher public education in the state and over independent higher
19
education in the state as provided in subsections (8) and (9) of this section. The board of education

1
and the council shall not engage in the operation or administration of any subordinate committee,
2
university, junior college, or community college, except its own office of postsecondary education
3
and except as specifically authorized by an act of the general assembly; provided, the presidents of
4
each institution of higher learning shall be the chief administrative and executive officers of that
5
institution; and provided that nothing contained in this section shall prohibit their direct access to
6
or interfere with the relationship between the presidents and the board of education and the council.
7
(4) To communicate with and seek the advice of the commissioner of postsecondary
8
education, the presidents of the public higher education institutions, and all those concerned with,
9
and affected by, its determinations as a regular procedure in arriving at its conclusions and in setting
10
its policy.
11
(5) To prepare and maintain a five-year (5) funding plan for higher education that
12
implements the strategic financing recommendations of the board of education; to prepare, with the
13
assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education, and to present annually to the state
14
budget officer, in accordance with § 35-3-4, a state higher education budget, which shall include,
15
but not be limited to, the budget of the office of postsecondary education and the budget of the state
16
colleges. In the preparation of the budget, the council shall implement priorities established by the
17
board of education of expenditures for public higher education purposes of state revenues and other
18
public resources made available for the support of higher public education. Prior to submitting the
19
budget to the state budget officer as required by the budget office instructions and this subsection,
20
the council shall present the budget to the board of education for its review and approval. Nothing
21
contained in this subdivision shall authorize the council to alter the allocation of grants or aid
22
otherwise provided by law.
23
(6) To maintain an office of postsecondary commissioner; to provide for its staffing and
24
organization; and to manage and oversee a commissioner of postsecondary education pursuant to
25
duties and responsibilities defined in §§ 16-59-6 and 16-59-7 [repealed]. The commissioner of
26
postsecondary education and the office of postsecondary commissioner shall have the duties and
27
responsibilities as defined in §§ 16-59-6 and 16-59-7 [repealed].
28
(7) To appoint and dismiss presidents of the public institutions of higher learning with the
29
assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education, and to establish procedures for this,
30
and with the assistance of the commissioner to approve or disapprove vice presidents of the public
31
institutions of higher learning appointed by the respective presidents of the public institutions of
32
higher learning.
33
(8) To establish other educational agencies or subcommittees necessary or desirable for the
34
conduct of any or all aspects of higher education and to determine all powers, functions, and

LC003816 - Page 2 of 10
1
composition of any agencies or subcommittees and to dissolve them when their purpose shall have
2
been fulfilled.
3
(9) To exercise the authority vested in the board of regents for education with relation to
4
independent higher educational institutions within the state under the terms of chapter 40 of this
5
title, and other laws affecting independent higher education in the state.
6
(10) To enforce the provisions of all laws relating to higher education, public and
7
independent.
8
(11) To be responsible for all the functions, powers, and duties that were vested in the board
9
of regents for education relating to higher education, including, but not limited to, the following
10
specific functions:
11
(i) To approve the role and scope of programs at public institutions of higher learning with
12
the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education which shall include, but not be
13
limited to, populations to be served, the type and level of programs, and academic fields offered.
14
(ii) To adopt and require standard accounting procedures for the office of postsecondary
15
commissioner and all public colleges and universities.
16
(iii) To approve a clear and definitive mission for each public institution of higher learning
17
with the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education that is consistent with the role
18
and scope of programs at the public institutions.
19
(iv) To promote maximum efficiency, economy, and cooperation in the delivery of public
20
higher educational services in the state and cooperation with independent institutions of higher
21
education.
22
(12) To incorporate into its own affirmative action reporting process periodic reports
23
monitoring specific faculty and staff searches by the chairperson of the search committee to include
24
the rationale for granting those interviews and the final hiring results. The institutions must
25
empower their affirmative action officer to monitor searches in this manner; to intervene during the
26
search; and, when necessary, to cause a search to cease if affirmative action goals are not being
27
adequately served.
28
(13) To incorporate a specific category for accountability on affirmative action goals and
29
implementation as part of the board’s annual evaluations and three-year (3) reviews for the
30
presidents of each of the public institutions of higher education.
31
(14) To make a formal request of the governor that, whenever an opportunity arises to make
32
new appointments to the board, that the governor make every effort to increase the number of
33
African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, and Hispanics on the board.
34
(15) To develop coherent plans for the elimination of unnecessary duplication in public

LC003816 - Page 3 of 10
1
higher education and addressing the future needs of public education within the state in the most
2
efficient and economical manner possible.
3
(16) To delegate to the presidents of each public higher education institution the authority
4
and responsibility for operational and management decisions related to their institutions, consistent
5
with the goals of the statewide strategic plan for postsecondary education; provided, however, that
6
the presidents may be required to provide information or updates to the council regarding any
7
delegated operational or management decisions.
8
(17) To approve application and renewal fees for all postsecondary institutions situated in
9
Rhode Island, public or private, that choose to participate in an interstate, postsecondary distance-
10
education reciprocity agreement.
11
(18) To the extent necessary for participation, and to the extent required and stated in an
12
interstate distance-learning reciprocity agreement, the council shall promulgate procedures to
13
address complaints received from out-of-state students in connection with, or related to, any Rhode
14
Island postsecondary institution, public or private, that has been approved to participate in an
15
interstate distance-learning reciprocity agreement.
16
(19) To serve as the governing body of the division of higher education assistance and
17
exercise all powers and duties of the division of higher education assistance as set forth under the
18
terms of Chapter 57 of this title; however, any debts, liabilities, or obligations of the council that
19
result from its status as such governing body shall be payable solely from the revenues or assets of
20
reserve funds set forth and established by the prior Rhode Island higher education assistance
21
authority and/or the Rhode Island division of higher education assistance created pursuant to
22
Chapter 57 of this title, and not from any assets or property held by the council on postsecondary
23
education pursuant to this chapter.
24
(20) To guarantee one hundred percent (100%) of the unpaid principal and accrued interest
25
of any eligible loan made by a lender to any eligible borrower in existence prior to July 1, 2015,
26
for the purpose of assisting the students in obtaining an education in an eligible institution, subject,
27
however, to the limitation regarding any debts, liabilities, or obligations of the council set forth in
28
subsection (19) above, and in § 16-57-12.
29
(21) To prescribe rules and regulations deemed necessary or desirable to carry out the
30
purposes of serving as a guaranty agency for the loans set forth in subsection (20) of this section,
31
including without limitation rules and regulations:
32
(i) To ensure compliance by the division with the requirements imposed by statutes or
33
regulation governing the guaranty, insurance, purchase, or other dealing in eligible loans by federal
34
agencies, instrumentalities, or corporations;

LC003816 - Page 4 of 10
1
(ii) To set standards of eligibility for educational institutions, students, and lenders and to
2
define residency and all other terms as the division deems necessary to carry out the purposes of
3
this chapter; and
4
(iii) To set standards for the administration of programs of postsecondary student financial
5
assistance assigned by law to the division, including but not limited to savings programs.
6
Administrative rules governing savings programs shall authorize the division, in conjunction with
7
the commissioner of postsecondary education, to negotiate reciprocal agreements with institutions
8
in other states offering similar savings programs for the purpose of maximizing educational benefits
9
to students in this state.
10
(22) To establish penalties for violations of any order, rule, or regulation of the division,
11
and a method for enforcing these.
12
(23) To set and collect fees and charges, in connection with its guaranties and servicing,
13
including without limitation reimbursement of costs of financing by the division, service charges,
14
and insurance premiums and fees and costs associated with implementing and administering
15
savings programs established pursuant to this chapter.
16
(24) To hold and operate property previously held by the higher education assistance
17
authority in trust for the state, and to acquire, hold, and dispose of the property and other like
18
property as deemed necessary for the execution of its corporate purposes.
19
(25) To direct the public colleges of higher education to adopt and, upon approval by the
20
council, execute a process to accept the advanced placement subject test scores of students who
21
obtain a three (3) or better in any advanced placement course for college credit.
22

16-59-6. Commissioner of postsecondary education.
23
The council on postsecondary education, with approval of the board, shall appoint a
24
commissioner of postsecondary education, who shall serve at the pleasure of the council, provided
25
that his or her initial engagement by the council shall be for a period of not more than three (3)
26
years. For the purpose of appointing, retaining, or dismissing a commissioner of postsecondary
27
education, the governor shall serve as an additional voting member of the council. The position of
28
commissioner shall be in the unclassified service of the state and he or she shall serve as the chief
29
executive officer of the council on postsecondary education, the chief administrative officer of the
30
office of postsecondary commissioner, and the executive director of the division of higher
31
education assistance. The commissioner of postsecondary education shall have any duties that are
32
defined in this section and in this title and other additional duties as may be determined by the
33
council, and shall perform any other duties as may be vested in him or her by law. In addition to
34
these duties and general supervision of the office of postsecondary commissioner and the

LC003816 - Page 5 of 10
1
appointment of the several officers and employees of the office, it shall be the duty of the
2
commissioner of postsecondary education:
3
(1) To develop and implement a systematic program of information gathering, processing,
4
and analysis addressed to every aspect of higher education in the state, especially as that
5
information relates to current and future educational needs.
6
(2) To prepare a strategic plan for
public
higher education in the state
aligned with

to
7
implement
the goals of the board of education’s strategic plan
;
, and
to coordinate the goals and
8
objectives of the higher public education sector with the goals of the council on elementary and
9
secondary education and activities of the independent higher education sector where feasible.
10
(3) To communicate with, and seek the advice of those concerned with, and affected by the
11
board of education’s and council’s determinations.
12
(4) To implement broad policy as it pertains to the goals and objectives established by the
13
board of education and council on postsecondary education; to promote better coordination
14
between higher public education in the state, independent higher education in the state as provided
15
in subsection (10) of this section, and preK-12 education; to assist in the preparation of the budget
16
for public higher education; and to be responsible, upon direction of the council, for the allocation
17
of appropriations, the acquisition, holding, disposition of property.
18
(5) To be responsible for the coordination of the various higher educational functions of
19
the state so that maximum efficiency and economy can be achieved.
20
(6) To assist the board of education in preparation and maintenance of a five-year (5)
21
strategic funding plan for higher education; to assist the council in the preparation and presentation
22
annually to the state budget officer in accordance with § 35-3-4 of a total, public higher educational
23
budget.
24
(7) To recommend to the council on postsecondary education, after consultation with the
25
presidents, a clear and definitive mission for each college.
26
(8) To annually recommend to the council on postsecondary education, after consultation
27
with the presidents, the creation, abolition, retention, or consolidation of departments, divisions,
28
programs, and courses of study within the public colleges to eliminate unnecessary duplication in
29
public higher education, to address the future needs of public higher education in the state, and to
30
advance proposals recommended by the presidents of the public colleges pursuant to §§ 16-33-2.1
31
and 16-33.1-2.1.
32
(9) To supervise the operations of the office of postsecondary commissioner, including the
33
division of higher education assistance, and any other additional duties and responsibilities that
34
may be assigned by the council.

LC003816 - Page 6 of 10
1
(10) To perform the duties vested in the council with relation to independent higher
2
educational institutions within the state under the terms of chapter 40 of this title and any other
3
laws that affect independent higher education in the state.
4
(11) To be responsible for the administration of policies, rules, and regulations of the
5
council on postsecondary education with relation to the entire field of higher education within the
6
state, not specifically granted to any other department, board, or agency and not incompatible with
7
law.
8
(12) To prepare standard accounting procedures for public higher education and all public
9
colleges.
10
(13) To carry out the policies and directives of the board of education and the council on
11
postsecondary education through the office of postsecondary commissioner and through utilization
12
of the resources of the public colleges.
13
(14) To enter into interstate reciprocity agreements regarding the provision of
14
postsecondary distance education; to administer such agreements; to approve or disapprove
15
applications to voluntarily participate in such agreements from postsecondary institutions that have
16
their principal place of business in Rhode Island; and to establish annual fees, with the approval of
17
the council on postsecondary education, for aforesaid applications to participate in an interstate
18
postsecondary distance education reciprocity agreement.
19
(15) To the extent necessary for participation, and to the extent required and stated in any
20
distance learning reciprocity agreement, to implement procedures to address complaints received
21
from out-of-state students in connection with, or related to, any Rhode Island postsecondary
22
institution, public or private, that has been approved to participate in said reciprocity agreement.
23
(16) To oversee the processes that the community college of Rhode Island, Rhode Island
24
college, and the university of Rhode Island adopt and execute, pursuant to §§ 16-32-2(i) and 16-
25
59-4(25), to accept advanced placement subject test scores of students who obtain a three (3) or
26
better in any advanced placement course for college credit.
27
(17) To collect data annually related to awarding college credit to students who receive test
28
scores of three (3) or higher on advanced placement courses, including, but not limited to:
29
(i) The number of students who receive college credit at each public institution of higher
30
learning for obtaining advanced placement test scores of three (3) or higher;
31
(ii) The number of college credits issued by the community college of Rhode Island, Rhode
32
Island college, and the university of Rhode Island due to students’ advanced placement subject test
33
scores of three (3) (“qualified”) or better in any advanced placement course; and
34
(iii) Any other relevant data as determined by the commissioner.

LC003816 - Page 7 of 10
1
(18) To exercise all powers and duties of the division of higher education assistance as set
2
forth under the terms of chapter 57 of this title.
3
SECTION 2. Chapter 16-59 of the General Laws entitled "Council on Postsecondary
4
Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby
5
amended by adding thereto the following section:
6

16-59-6.1. Commissioner of postsecondary education -- Additional duties.
7

(a) In addition to the duties that are set forth in § 16-59-6, that may be determined by the
8
council on postsecondary education, and that may be vested in the commissioner of postsecondary
9
education (the "commissioner") by law, the commissioner shall:
10

(1) Prepare a strategic plan for public higher education in the state, pursuant to § 16-59-
11
6(2). The strategic plan for public higher education shall:
12

(i) Be aligned with the goals of the board of education's strategic plan for education;
13

(ii) Be developed with input from the governing bodies of the state's public institutions of
14
higher learning;
15

(iii) Direct public higher education to be accountable for increasing the educational
16
attainment levels of Rhode Islanders;
17

(iv) Be reviewed and revised as deemed appropriate by the commissioner; provided
18
however, it is performed at least once every three (3) years;
19

(v) Be approved by the council on postsecondary education; and
20

(vi) Include, but not be limited to, proposals for:
21

(A) Addressing the state's economic development, workforce development and research
22
needs;
23

(B) Ensuring increased degree production;
24

(C) Using institutional mission differentiation to realize statewide efficiencies through
25
institutional collaboration and minimized redundancy in degree offerings; and
26

(D) Consolidating services and standardizing processes between the public institutions of
27
higher learning to improve efficiency and effectiveness in areas including, but not limited to,
28
student services, academic support, and institutional support.
29

(2) Make funding recommendations to the public institutions of higher learning. The
30
recommendations shall:
31

(i) Include, but not be limited to, proposals for implementing the strategic plan for public
32
higher education; and
33

(ii) Be provided to the general assembly, the governor, and the council on postsecondary
34
education on an annual basis.

LC003816 - Page 8 of 10
1

(3) Consult with the public institutions of higher learning to develop policies and guidelines
2
for the equitable distribution of public funds among them in a way that furthers the goals of the
3
strategic plan for public higher education. The policies or guidelines shall result in an outcomes-
4
based model. This model shall emphasize outcomes across a range of variables that shall be
5
weighted to reinforce each institution's mission and provide incentives for productivity
6
improvements consistent with the strategic plan for public higher education.
7

(i) In the implementation of this subsection, the commissioner shall consult with the state's
8
general treasurer and the office of management and budget to establish uniform standards of
9
accounting, records, and statistical reporting systems in accordance with accepted national
10
standards.
11

(4) That an associate of science or associate of arts degree from the community college of
12
Rhode Island shall be deemed to have met all general education and core requirements for transfer
13
to a Rhode Island public institution of higher learning as a junior. Notwithstanding this provision,
14
admission into a particular program, school, or college within the institution shall remain
15
competitive in accordance with generally applicable policies.
16

(5) That community college students who wish to earn baccalaureate degrees in the state's
17
public higher education system shall be provided with clear and effective information and
18
directions that specify curricular paths to a degree. Such information shall include, but is not limited
19
to:
20

(i) Listings of course offerings that clearly identify courses that are not designed to be
21
transferable under the provisions of this subsection.
22

(6) In developing policies to implement the provisions of this section, the office of the
23
postsecondary commissioner shall seek input from and the participation of faculty and the
24
appropriate administrative staff, in accordance with existing faculty union contracts and shared
25
governance practices.
26

(b) The provisions of this section shall be fully implemented no later than the beginning of
27
the 2028-2029 academic year. At the start of the 2027-2028 academic year, and at the start of each
28
academic year thereafter, the commissioner shall report to the senate president and the speaker of
29
the house regarding the implementation of this section.
30
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC003816
========

LC003816 - Page 9 of 10
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
***
1
This act would assign additional duties to the commissioner of postsecondary education,
2
including, but not limited to, preparing a strategic plan for public higher education which is aligned
3
with the goals of the board of education's strategic plan and which would provide for equitable
4
distribution of public funds. This act would also provide that any policies and goals adopted would
5
have an outcomes-based model emphasizing outcomes across a range of variables.
6
This act would take effect upon passage.
========
LC003816
========

LC003816 - Page 10 of 10