Provides that all members of the board of regents shall be elected by concurrent resolution of the legislature on the second Tuesday of March

1 Co-sponsor

• Carl L. Marcellino

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to election of the members of the board of regents

Purpose

To provide for the election of members of the board of regents by concurrent resolution, requiring approval by a majority of members within both houses of the Legislature.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Requires members of the board of regents to be elected by concurrent resolution and removes the option for election by joint session of the Legislature.

Section 2: Makes conforming changes for the filling of vacancies on the board by concurrent resolution and sets dates for such resolutions to be voted upon.

Justification

The board of regents is made up of seventeen members who are charged with setting education policy for students and education professionals across the State. Members of the board can currently be elected by concurrent resolution or through a joint session of the Legislature. The current political makeup of the Legislature allows one party, in one house to dominate this process. In recent times, the election has relied on the statutory fall back of meeting in joint session, rather than passing a concurrent resolution to seek input from both houses. By requiring a concurrent resolution, this bill ensures that both houses of the Legislature have an equal say in electing members to the board. Restoring equity to this process will help ensure that members of the board of regents are well rounded and representative of the diverse policy areas the board oversees.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.