BILL ANALYSIS
AB 690
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Date of Hearing: May 5, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Anthony Portantino, Chair
AB 690 (Ammiano) - As Introduced: February 26, 2009
SUBJECT : The California State University Trustees and the
University of California Regents: meetings.
SUMMARY : Authorizes ex officio members of the California State
University (CSU) Board of Trustees (BOT) to designate a
non-voting representative, as specified, to attend CSU BOT
meetings in the ex officio member's absence. Specifically, this
bill :
1)Authorizes ex officio members of the CSU BOT to designate a
representative, who is an officer or member of the same office
or elective body as the member, to attend CSU BOT meetings in
the ex officio member's absence, as follows:
a) Governor: a secretary of an executive agency appointed
by the Governor.
b) Lieutenant Governor: a member of the Senate.
c) Superintendent of Public Instruction: a county
superintendent of schools.
d) Speaker of the Assembly: a member of the Assembly.
e) CSU Chancellor: an executive officer employed by the
Office of the CSU Chancellor.
2)Prohibits the designated representative from voting on behalf
of the ex officio member.
3)Allows the ex officio member to designate only one person in a
calendar year to attend a CSU BOT meeting or meetings in the
ex officio member's absence.
4)States legislative intent that each ex officio member of the
University of California (UC) Board of Regents (Regents)
designate a person to attend a UC Regents meeting or meetings
in the ex officio member's absence.
AB 690
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EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides that the CSU BOT be composed of the following ex
officio members: the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of
the Assembly, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and CSU
Chancellor.
2)Provides that the CSU BOT be composed of the following
members:
a) 16 members appointed by the Governor and subject to
confirmation by two-thirds of the membership of the Senate;
b) A representative of the CSU alumni associations,
selected for a two-year term by the CSU alumni council
(this person cannot be a CSU employee during the two-year
term);
c) Two CSU students, appointed by the Governor for two-year
terms; and,
d) A tenured CSU faculty member, appointed by the Governor
for a two-year term.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : Purpose of this bill : This bill seeks to address
situations when UC and CSU governing board meetings conflict, by
allowing ex officio members to appoint representatives to attend
on their behalf. The author believes this will ensure important
oversight of these institutions.
Virtue of the office : The Legislature established the importance
of certain state-elected offices participating on the boards of
public postsecondary institutions as a means to ensure that
elected leaders are able to share their perspective in the
formulation of system policy. By virtue of the office they
hold, these individuals bring unique perspective and experience
to the policy and governance discussions of the UC and CSU
governing boards.
Meeting schedules : The UC and CSU governing boards have six
standing meetings per year, as well as special meetings as
necessary. While these governing boards have often met on the
same dates in previous years, in 2009, UC and CSU governing
AB 690
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board meetings will conflict once-November 2009.
Other entities : The California Public Employees' Retirement
System, California, State Teachers' Retirement System, Board of
Equalization, and Franchise Tax Board allow ex officio members
to send a deputy to act on their behalf at board meetings.
Clarification needed : This bill prohibits the representative
from voting but does not speak to the establishment of a quorum.
Staff suggests amendments to clarify that the representative
cannot be counted toward the establishment of quorum.
Previous legislation : AB 1413 (Portantino) of 2007 and AB 2339
(McLeod) of 2004, which were both vetoed by the Governor,
contained provisions substantially similar to this bill.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees,
Local 3299
Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi
Opposition
California State University
Analysis Prepared by : Sandra Fried / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960