SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5820
As of January 20, 2022
Title: An act relating to appointing the superintendent of public instruction.
Brief Description: Appointing the superintendent of public instruction.
Sponsors: Senators Carlyle and Hunt.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/21/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Governor to appoint the Superintendent of Public Instruction with the consent of the Senate instead of this being a separately elected statewide office.
  • Specifies that the effective date of this act is contingent on a constitutional amendment being approved and ratified by the voters at the next general election.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction has supervision over all matters pertaining to the public schools of the state.  Under the State Constitution, the Superintendent is a separately elected statewide office in the executive branch of the government.  The Superintendent must perform other specific duties as required by law.

 

A proposed amendment to the State Constitution must be approved by two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the Legislature, and then approved by a majority of the voters in the next general election.
Summary of Bill:

Instead of the Superintendent of Public Instruction being a separately elected statewide office, the Governor must appoint the Superintendent with the consent of the Senate.  If a vacancy occurs in the position while the Senate is not in session, the Governor must make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate at which time the Governor must present the Senate with a nomination for the position.  The Superintendent must be paid a fixed salary in accordance with state law.

 

The current Superintendent must continue in office for the remainder of the term for which they were elected until a successor is appointed by the Governor.

 

References to the Superintendent being a separately elected statewide office are removed from state law.

 

This act takes effect if the proposed amendment to certain sections of Article III of the State Constitution providing for the appointment of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is validly submitted to and is approved and ratified by the voters at the next general election and certified by the Secretary of State.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 14, 2022.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains a contingent effective date. Please see the bill.