HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6216

                      As Passed House:

                      February 26, 1996

Title:  An act relating to state board of education office staff.

Brief Description:  Changing state board of education staff provisions.

Sponsors:  Senator McAuliffe; by request of Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  2/15/96, 2/20/96 [DP].

  Floor Activity:

     Passed House:  2/26/96, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 19 members:  Representatives Brumsickle, Chairman; Elliot, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Cole, Ranking Minority Member; Keiser, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clements; Fuhrman; Hatfield; Linville; McMahan; Pelesky; Poulsen; Quall; Radcliff; Smith; Talcott; B. Thomas; Thompson and Veloria.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:   Under current law, the state Board of Education is authorized to appoint only an "ex officio secretary" to keep a record of the board's proceedings.  Other staff assisting the state board have been employed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Summary of Bill:  The state Board of Education may appoint an executive director, who also must serve as the board's secretary.  The board may also appoint other staff to support the duties of the board, including duties delegated to the board by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  The executive director and other staff appointed by the board and designated by the superintendent are exempt from civil service.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction must employ the executive director and other staff appointed by the state board if state funds are appropriated.  Compensation and termination of these employees must be approved by the state Board of Education.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:   This legislation will give the state Board of Education needed flexibility in hiring staff.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:   Millard Battles, state Board of Education.