Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

HB 1176

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 Summary of Bill

Specifies that compensation for presidents and chancellors at the University of Washington, Washington State University, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College may not include bonuses or incentives that are more than 20 percent of their base salaries or awarded more than once in a four-year period.

Background:

There are six public baccalaureate institutions in Washington, including the University of Washington (UW), Washington State University (WSU), Central Washington University (CWU), Eastern Washington University (EWU), Western Washington University (WWU), and The Evergreen State College (TESC). The boards of regents or trustees at each of these institutions have the authority to employ a president for the institution and other employees of the institution. The governing bodies are also permitted to enter into contracts that they deem essential to purposes of the institution. There are no statutory limitations regarding compensation for presidents or chancellors of these institutions.

Summary of Bill:

Compensation for the president and any chancellors at UW, WSU, CWU, EWU, WWU, and TESC may not include bonuses or other incentives that are more than 20 percent of their base salaries or that are awarded more than once in any four-year period.

The restriction on bonuses and incentives is only applicable to contracts entered into or renewed on or after the bill's effective date.