This Special Committee report presents a discussion and recommendations concerning the financing of California's community colleges, student matriculation, student costs, and tuition options. First, the committee's conclusions and recommendations are presented in the areas of college role and mission, the financial condition of the colleges, matriculation, and student costs. Chapter 1 discusses the origins and background of the California community colleges, including an overview of recent funding history and an analysis of trends in student characteristics. Chapter 2 describes the financial condition of the state and its community colleges, focusing on recent cutbacks, the colleges' response, and new funding proposals. Chapter 3 considers the advantages and fiscal implications of legislative plans for the development of a statewide matriculation policy. The costs of attending a community college in California are analyzed in chapter 4, which includes information on the amount college students pay, the amount of financial need that is not met by financial aid programs, and trends in community college fees. Chapter 5 lists seven tuition options and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each. Extensive appendices contain written testimony on the community college system from committee hearings held across the state. (HB)