CA SB777

Requires community college districts with less than 75% of credit instruction taught by full-time faculty to make a minimum annual 5% reduction in their deficit, contingent upon appropriation in the Budget Act or another statute.

Defines a district's deficit as 75% of total credit hours taught minus the hours actually taught by full-time faculty.

Requires the Chancellor to report annually by March 15 to each district on their progress toward the 75% goal and the additional full-time faculty hours and positions needed to achieve a 5% deficit reduction.

Requires districts to develop and maintain a 5-year plan with specific strategies for reaching the 75% full-time faculty goal, including provisions for economic downturns and identification of new positions versus replacements.

Authorizes the Chancellor to reduce a district's base budget if it fails to hire the required full-time faculty by September 30 each year, with reductions equivalent to the average replacement cost times the number of positions not filled.