Changes the University of Hawaii Board of Regents (BOR) membership by increasing the number of members from 12 to 15. Requires a certain number of BOR members to represent specific geographic areas. Establishes that BOR members shall serve no more than 2 consecutive 5-year terms. Clarifies that every BOR member may serve beyond the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor has been appointed and has been confirmed by the senate. (SB3124 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Section 26-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The University of Hawaii shall be headed by an executive board to be known as the board of regents.

The board shall consist of [twelve] fifteen members. [No more than six of the members shall be members of the same political party and at least part of the membership of the board shall represent geographic subdivisions of the State.] At least one member shall be a University of Hawaii student at the time of the initial appointment. This member may be reappointed for one additional term even though the member may no longer be a student at the time of reappointment.

At least ten members, except for the student member, shall represent geographic areas as follows:

The board shall have power, in accordance with the Constitution of the State and with law, to formulate policy[,] and to exercise control over the university through its executive officer, the president of the university. The board shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the internal organization and management of the university."

SECTION 2. Section 304-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§304-3 Regents; appointment; tenure; qualifications; meetings. (a) The affairs of the university shall be under the general management and control of the board of regents consisting of [twelve] fifteen members who shall be appointed and may be removed by the governor. Except as otherwise provided by law, state officers shall be eligible for appointment and membership. The term of each member other than the student member shall be [for four years; provided that the] five years, except that members may be initially appointed for terms of shorter duration so that, as far as practicable, no more than three members' terms shall expire in any one year. The term of the student member shall be [for] two years. [Except as otherwise provided by statute, state officers shall be eligible to appointment and membership.] Every member may serve beyond the expiration date of the member's term of appointment until the member's successor has been appointed and has [qualified.] been confirmed by the senate in accordance with article X, section 6 of the state constitution. Members shall serve no more than two consecutive five-year terms.

(b) The board [shall], at its first meeting after June 30, shall elect a chairperson and [vice-chairperson] vice chairperson, who shall serve until adjournment of its first meeting after June 30 of the next year or thereafter until their successors are appointed and have qualified and whose election shall be immediately certified by the board to the chief election officer. The board shall appoint a secretary, who shall report to the board but not be a member of the board. The president of the university shall act as executive officer of the board. The board shall meet not less often than ten times annually, and may from time to time meet in each of the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai.

(c) The members of the board shall serve without pay but shall be entitled to their traveling expenses within the State when attending meetings of the board or when actually engaged in business relating to the work of the board."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2096.