Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

HB 1536

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Changing requirements for membership on community and technical college boards of trustees.

Sponsors: Representatives Seaquist, Appleton, Haler, Springer, Stanford, McCoy, Upthegrove, Ormsby, Moscoso, Hunt, Ryu, Fitzgibbon, Lytton, Sawyer, Liias, Dunshee, Orwall, Cody, Stonier, Kagi, Moeller, Sells, Reykdal, Fey and Pollet.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires that boards of trustees of community college districts include at least one member from labor.

  • Replaces the requirements that boards of trustees of community college districts containing a technical college include at least one member from business and one member from labor with a requirement to include at least one member from labor.

Hearing Date: 2/6/13

Staff: Madeleine Thompson (786-7304).

Background:

Washington is divided into 30 community and technical college districts. Each district has a board of trustees (board) composed of five trustees appointed by the Governor.

Each board member must be a resident and qualified elector of the district. A board member may not be an employee of the community and technical college system, a board member of another school district, or a board member of another public or private educational institution. In appointing board members, the Governor must consider geographical diversity and representation by labor, business, women, and racial and ethnic minorities.

Each board for a district containing a technical college must include at least one member from business and one member from labor. Within Washington there are five technical colleges: Bates Technical College, Bellingham Technical College, Clover Park Technical College, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, and Renton Technical College.

Summary of Bill:

Boards of trustees from community and technical colleges must include at least one member from labor. The requirement for boards of trustees of community college districts containing a technical college to include at least one member from business and one member from labor, is replaced with a requirement to include at least one member from labor.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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