Title: An act relating to terms of appointment of student regents and trustees.

Brief Description: Revising terms of appointment of student regents and trustees.

Sponsors: By Representatives Kenney, Sells, Cox, Rodne and Kessler.

Brief History:

Higher Education & Workforce Education: 1/26/06, 1/27/06 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/9/06, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Kenney, Chair; Sells, Vice Chair; Cox, Ranking Minority Member; Rodne, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buri, Dunn, Fromhold, Hasegawa, Ormsby, Roberts and Sommers.

Staff: Nina Oman (786-7152).

Background:

Student regents are appointed at each of the public baccalaureate institutions. They serve a one-year term which begins the first day of June and ends until their successor is appointed and qualified.

Budget conversations and decisions at the public four-year institutions generally occur in the month of June. Student regents therefore must participate in planning the budget immediately after they are appointed, and before they have had the chance to familiarize themselves with budget issues.

If student regents are appointed in July, their predecessor will have participated in budget planning during the month of June. The new student regent will then be able to prepare adequately for budget planning the following year.

Summary of Bill:

Student regents will hold office from the first day of July until the first day of July the following year, or until their successor is appointed and qualified, whichever is later.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The terms of the student regents are for one year. This bill helps the student regent effectively discuss the budget, and it gives the exiting regent time to provide mentorship to the new student regent. We appreciate having student regents.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Ben Golden, Washington Student Lobby.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.