Advisory for Thursday, March 26, 2026

SACRAMENTO, CA — On Thursday at 9:30 AM PT, students, borrower advocates, and academic experts will provide testimony before the Little Hoover Commission’s hearing entitled, “Student Institutional Debt in California.” The historic hearing marks the first time the independent citizens-legislative commission is investigating the growth of institutional debt—debt owed by students directly to institutions of higher education—and exploring potential policy solutions to better protect California students.

Both in-person and virtual attendees will hear about current institutional debt collection practices by California public higher education institutions and the devastating impact this debt has on students. Public comment will include remarks from students impacted by institutional debt and the Campaign for California Borrowers’ Rights. Expert witnesses will offer the Commission testimony on why lawmakers must act now to establish policies on institutional debt when students and families across the state are struggling with college affordability.

Speakers include:

  • Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, California’s 64th Assembly District and AB 850 sponsor
  • Aissa Canchola Bañez, Policy Director, Protect Borrowers
  • Dalié Jiménez, Professor of Law at University of California Irvine School of Law and Director of the Student Loan Law Initiative
  • Charlie Eaton, Associate Professor of Sociology at University of California, Merced, and Co-Founder of the Higher Education, Race, and the Economy (HERE) Lab
  • Samantha Seng, Legislative Director & Policy Advisor at NextGen California
  • Stephany Cartney, recent UCLA graduate impacted by institutional debt

What: The Little Hoover Commission’s Public Hearing, “Student Institutional Debt in California.”

When: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 9:30 AM – 3 PM PT

Where: The Joe Serna Jr. CalEPA Headquarters Building, Coastal Room, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Livestream information:

Join Online or By Phone Via Zoom
URL: https://bit.ly/4sedYyK
Webinar ID: 935 4251 9355
Passcode: 950867
Phone: (888) 788 0099

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About Protect Borrowers

Protect Borrowers (formerly Student Borrower Protection Center) is a nonprofit organization led by a team of experts, lawyers, and advocates fighting to build an economy where debt doesn’t limit opportunity. We investigate financial abuses, take predatory companies to court, and push for policies to protect working people from debt traps. We aim to deliver immediate relief to families while building power, driving systemic change, and fighting for racial and economic justice.

Learn more at protectborrowers.org or follow us on social @BorrowerJustice.