SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5410

               As Passed Senate, March 17, 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:  Senators McAuliffe and Rasmussen; by request of Board of Education.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/10/99, 2/17/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/17/99, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

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:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  There are at least 22 type four groups.  Members of the State Board of Education perform all of the duties of a type four group.  The Constitution states that education is the "paramount duty of the state," and the Legislature has assigned to the State Board of Education numerous duties to fulfil this overriding and important obligation.  Those duties include educator preparation and certification, school construction, high school graduation requirements, and school accreditation.  Board members meet over 100 hours a year to perform their duties.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Linda Carpenter, State Board of Education (pro).