BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Tom Torlakson, Chairman
1413 (Portantino)
Hearing Date: 08/20/07 Amended: 07/18/07
Consultant: Dan Troy Policy Vote: ED 5-1
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BILL SUMMARY: AB 1413 would allow ex officio members of the
California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees (BOT) to
designate a person to attend Trustee meetings and, in some case,
act on his or her behalf. The bill would prohibit the BOT from
approving a hiring contract for an executive officer unless the
contract is duly noticed and adopted by resolution. The bill
would prohibit transition pay granted to outgoing executives to
exceed compensation received in the last year of regular duties,
and would restrict compensation for Trustee professorships
unless it is paid for consideration of actual teaching.
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Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Fund
Designees Potential minor costs for
travel General
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STAFF COMMENTS:
This bill would not result in significant costs. There may be
some costs related to travel and accommodations for staff to
attend BOT meetings (the BOT is not required to compensate ex
officios for this cost), but these costs would be minor. The ex
officio members of the BOT include the Governor, the Lieutenant
Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Superintendent of
Public Instruction, and the Chancellor of CSU.
The intent of the bill appears to be to create more dialogue
between ex officio members and other interested parties
concerning matters of CSU affairs. In particular, it is
intended that this bill would create more accountability
regarding compensation issues. It is frequently difficult for ex
officio members to attend BOT meeting due to various scheduling
conflicts, including conflicts with the UC Board of Regents
meetings.
It may be the case, however, that concerns of this bill could be
addressed by simply encouraging the BOT to arrange its calendar
to avoid conflicts with the UC Board of Regents.
Staff recommends a technical amendment to clarify an amendment
approved in the Senate Education Committee: On page 6, line 22,
after "trustees", add "and implemented". This would restrict
the provisions of the bill to the intended agreements and may
avoid some litigation concerns.