Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

HB 2368

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: Requiring that at least one member on each community college board of trustees be from labor.

Sponsors: Representatives Seaquist, Hasegawa, Probst, Hunt, McCoy, Sells, Appleton, Moscoso, Maxwell, Kenney, Reykdal, Fitzgibbon, Ormsby, Finn, Lytton, Upthegrove, Dickerson, Moeller, Hudgins, Ladenburg, Darneille, Kagi and Tharinger.

Brief Summary of Bill

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

Hearing Date: 1/18/12

Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).

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:

The boards of trustees for all community college districts must include at least one member from labor. This requirement commences with the first appointment in each college district occurring after the effective date.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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