SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1715

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                   Education, March 31, 1999

Title:  An act relating to reclassifying the state board of education as a class four group.

Brief Description:  Reclassifying the state board of education as a class four group.

Sponsors:  Representatives Cox, Stensen, Schual‑Berke and Talcott; by request of Board of Education.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  3/31/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Bauer, Benton, Brown, Finkbeiner, Goings, Hochstatter, Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen, Sellar, Swecker and Zarelli.

Staff:  William Bridges (786-7424)

Background:  Part-time state boards and commissions are divided into four groups.  The State Board of Education is a class three group.  Class three groups regulate and set policies for professions, occupations, businesses, or industries.  Members of a class three group may receive up to $50 a day when the group is working, in addition to food, lodging, and travel allowances.  Those members who are also full-time federal, state, or local government employees may not receive the $50 a day in compensation if they have received any compensation from their employer for working that day.

Class four groups are like class three groups except that the Legislature considers class four duties to be of overriding sensitivity and importance to the public welfare and the operation of state government.  Usually, a class four group will meet more than 100 hours a year.  Members of a class four group may receive up to $100 a day when the group is working, in addition to food, lodging, and travel allowances.  Those members who are also full-time federal, state, or local government employees may not receive the $100 a day in compensation if they have received any compensation from their employer for working that day.

Summary of Bill:  The State Board of Education is changed from a class three group to a class four group.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill acknowledges the importance of the Board of Education and the amount of time its members devote to the board.  Education reform programs are requiring more meetings and the board members should be appropriately compensated.  The board is performing duties just as important as other class four groups.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Don Cox, prime sponsor; Larry Davis, State Board of Education.