FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1602

                         C 416 L 93

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing election provisions for regional committee members.

By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Chappell, Cothern and Thomas; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction).

House Committee on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:  There are nine educational service districts (ESDs) in the state that provide services to school districts.

Each of these ESDs has a "regional committee" that is responsible for hearing and making decisions regarding proposed school district boundary changes.  Regional committees also make equitable adjustments in assets when boundaries are changed, and are involved in decisions regarding sharing the costs of high school construction with non-high school districts.  Decisions made by regional committees may be appealed to the State Board of Education.

Seven to nine members serve on the regional committees, and committee members serve five-year terms.  The election of members is staggered, with a portion of the committee up for election each year.  School board directors in the ESDs elect the regional committee members.

In order to reduce unnecessary work, the superintendent of public instruction has recommended that regional committee member elections be held every two years instead of each year.

Summary:  Regional committee member elections shall be held every two years instead of each year.  The term for regional committee members is reduced from five to four years.

A process for implementing the change is provided.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  96 0

Senate 46 0 (Senate amended)

House  97 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  September 1, 1994