Washington SB 5584: Concerning college and university presidents.

Bill Text

S-0802.1

SENATE BILL 5584

State of Washington

65th Legislature

2017 Regular Session

By Senator Baumgartner

Read first time 01/30/17. Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

AN ACT Relating to college and university presidents; amending RCW 28B.20.105, 28B.30.120, 28B.35.110, 28B.40.110, and 42.56.250; adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 42.30 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that in the search for the position of president, colleges and universities must be able to conduct a thorough search for the best candidates. The legislature finds that this objective is best accomplished by exempting the search process from public records. At the same time, the legislature also recognizes the need to protect the public. The legislature finds that this objective is served by requiring that the president of a college or university be subject to senate confirmation. Therefore, the legislature intends that college and university presidents be subject to senate confirmation, but that the search process be exempt from open public meetings and public disclosure requirements.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Any person appointed to serve as president of a state college, regional university, or state university shall be subject to senate confirmation.

(2) Any president-appointee subject to senate confirmation shall continue to serve as a president-appointee unless rejected by a vote of the senate. An appointee who is rejected by a vote of the senate shall not be reappointed to the same position for a period of one year from termination of service.

(3) For the appointment of a president to be effective, the state college, regional university, or state university must transmit to the secretary of the senate notice of the appointment, along with pertinent information regarding the appointee.

Sec. 3. RCW 28B.20.105 and 2012 c 228 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the board shall organize by electing from its membership a president and an executive committee, of which committee the president shall be ex officio chair. The board may adopt bylaws or rules and regulations for its own government and shall follow procedures for open public meetings in chapter 42.30 RCW. The board shall provide time for public comment at each meeting. The board shall hold regular quarterly meetings, and during the interim between such meetings the executive committee may transact business for the whole board: PROVIDED, That the executive committee may call special meetings of the whole board when such action is deemed necessary.

(2) Meetings of the board for the sole purpose of selecting a new president of the institution are not subject to the requirements of the open public meetings act in chapter 42.30 RCW, and documents and materials obtained or created for the sole purpose of selecting a new president of the institution are not subject to public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW.

Sec. 4. RCW 28B.30.120 and 2012 c 228 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, meetings of the board of regents may be called in such manner as the board may prescribe and shall follow procedures for open public meetings in chapter 42.30 RCW. A full meeting of the board shall be called at least once a year. The board shall provide time for public comment at each meeting. No vacancy in said board shall impair the rights of the remaining members of the board.

(2) Meetings of the board for the sole purpose of selecting a new president of the institution are not subject to the requirements of the open public meetings act in chapter 42.30 RCW, and documents and materials obtained or created for the sole purpose of selecting a new president of the institution are not subject to public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW.

Sec. 5. RCW 28B.35.110 and 2012 c 228 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, each board of regional university trustees shall hold at least two regular meetings each year, at such times as may be provided by the board, and shall follow procedures for open public meetings in chapter 42.30 RCW. Each board shall provide time for public comment at each meeting. Special meetings shall be held as may be deemed necessary, whenever called by the chair or by a majority of the board. Public notice of all meetings shall be given in accordance with chapter 42.32 RCW.

(2) Meetings of the board for the sole purpose of selecting a new president of the institution are not subject to the requirements of the open public meetings act in chapter 42.30 RCW, and documents and materials obtained or created for the sole purpose of selecting a new president of the institution are n