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Committee advances bill to formalize California–Mexico higher education exchange program
Summary
The Assembly committee advanced AB 1093 to create a formal 1-to-1 student exchange program with Mexican universities; supporters said the program would expand cross-border ties but some members raised budget and accountability concerns.
Assemblymember Salace presented AB 1093, which would establish a California–Mexico Higher Education Development and Academic Exchange Program to formalize student exchange partnerships between California public higher education systems and Mexican universities. The program would create a one-for-one exchange, matching students from the University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges with students from Mexican institutions.
“Despite the direct border proximity, the dynamic economic public health environmental and cultural ties with Mexico, other countries have more robust and subscribed study abroad programs,” the author said, urging a statewide institutional program.
Witnesses supporting the bill described potential economic and workforce benefits. Anna Matthews, Government Relations Director for the Faculty Association of the California Community Colleges, told the committee the program would expand access to exchanges, help workforce development and strengthen bilateral ties. “In an era of rising political tensions, it is in California's best interest to invest in our academic relationship with Mexico,” Matthews said.
Several committee members said they supported the concept but raised concerns. Member Sharp Collins questioned whether the proposed program would duplicate campus-level exchanges and asked where the $20 million referenced in the bill analysis would originate. The author clarified the matching fund would come from participating Mexican universities and the California systems, not directly from the Mexican government.
Members representing border districts pressed for accountability on broader cross-border issues. Multiple San Diego and Imperial County members linked exchange discussions to persistent binational infrastructure and environmental problems, including sewage that affects beaches and the New River; they said any cross-border program should not distract from those urgent public-health and infrastructure concerns.
Action and next steps: Committee members voted to pass AB 1093 to the Appropriations Committee. The transcript records a roll-call showing the measure “passed to the Appropriations Committee” and lists a mix of ayes and nos during the roll call; the clerk reported “that measure has 3 ayes, 2 noes” at one point and kept the roll open for additional members to add on.
Why this matters: Supporters said AB 1093 would expand study-abroad and exchange opportunities along California’s largest trade and cultural relationship and build long-term workforce and research partnerships. Several members said they favored the concept but asked the author and stakeholders to return with clearer budget mechanics, evidence of institutional commitments, and assurances that border infrastructure issues would be pursued separately.
Next steps: The bill advances to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal review.
