Higher Education

The New York State Assembly Higher Education Committee oversees legislation and policy relating to the state’s colleges, universities, and professional licensing systems. Its main concerns include public and private higher education funding, governance, faculty and student rights, tuition and financial aid, and efforts to improve access, accountability, and quality in New York’s higher education system. The committee’s work supports the state’s public university system (SUNY), City University of New York (CUNY), independent colleges, and the regulation of licensed professions.

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This Committee’s legal jurisdiction covers Education Law (particularly as it relates to higher education and university governance), General Municipal Law (pertaining to educational finance and municipal colleges), and sections of Public Health Law (professional licensing in healthcare fields). It frequently reviews issues tied to student loans, licensure for professional practice, and regulation of postsecondary institutions.

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Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman is Chair, while a senior Republican member serves as Ranking Member. The committee consists of around 26 members and holds regular meetings in line with the legislative session calendar, often scheduled for Tuesday afternoons. Membership details and meeting schedules are available on the official Assembly website.