STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 53rd Legislature (2012)

SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION 76	By:	Fields

AS INTRODUCED

A Joint Resolution directing the Secretary of State to refer to the people for their approval or rejection a proposed amendment to Section 1 of Article XIII-B of the Oklahoma Constitution; changing the membership of the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges; deleting obsolete language; allowing current members to serve the remainder of their term; terminating membership of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction; providing for appointments of successors; establishing residency requirements for certain members; providing for appointment of at-large members; limiting the number of terms; deleting compensation limit; deleting certain board meeting restrictions; deleting restriction on employment; deleting meeting attendance requirements; providing ballot title; and directing filing.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
SECTION 1.  The Secretary of State shall refer to the people for their approval or rejection, as and in the manner provided by law, the following proposed amendment to Section 1 of Article XIII-B of the Oklahoma Constitution to read as follows:
Section 1.  A.  There is hereby created a Board to be known as the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges, and shall consist of nine (9) members to be appointed by the Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate.  The Governor shall appoint one (1) member to serve for one (1) year, one (1) member to serve for two (2) years, one (1) member to serve for three (3) years, one (1) member to serve for four (4) years, one (1) member to serve for five (5) years, one (1) member to serve for six (6) years, one (1) member to serve for seven (7) years, one (1) member to serve for eight (8) years, and one (1) member to serve for nine (9) years.  Provided that one (1) member shall come from each Congressional District and the ninth (9th) member shall be the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Their
B.  Any appointed member serving on the Board on the effective date of this amendment shall serve out the remainder of their term of office and shall be eligible to serve one additional full term.  The membership of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction shall terminate on January 1, 2012.  Upon completion of the terms of members serving on the effective date of this amendment, the Governor shall appoint a successor for each position.  The Governor shall appoint one member who resides in the county where the main campus of East Central University is located, one member who resides in the county where the main campus of Northeastern Oklahoma State University is located, one member who resides in the county where the main campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University is located, one member who resides in the county where the main campus of Southwestern Oklahoma State University is located, one member who resides in the county where the main campus of the University of Central Oklahoma is located, and two members who shall be appointed at large.  After January 1, 2012, the Governor shall appoint a member to replace the position held by the Superintendent of Public Instruction who shall be appointed at large and shall serve an initial term of nine (9) years.
C.  The successors shall be appointed for a term of nine (9) years, and such appointments.  Each member shall be eligible to serve one full term.  Any member appointed for a partial term shall be eligible to be reappointed for one full term.  Appointments shall be made within ninety (90) days after the term expires.  Vacancies shall be filled by the Governor within ninety (90) days after the vacancy occurs.  Each member of the Board, except the State Superintendent shall receive as compensation the sum of Ten ($10.00) Dollars per day, not to exceed sixty (60) days in any fiscal year while he is actually engaged in the performance of duties, and he shall also be allowed the necessary travel expenses as approved by the Board and paid in the manner provided by law.
D.  The Board shall elect a president and vice-president who shall perform such any duties as the Board directs.  No executive board meetings shall be held at any time unless such  executive session is ordered by a unanimous vote of the Board.  The personnel of the Board of Regents of the Oklahoma Colleges shall not include more than two (2) members from any one profession, vocation, or occupation Any person who is an officer, supervisor, president, instructor, or employee of any institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education shall not be eligible to serve on the Board.  No member of the Board shall be eligible to be an officer, supervisor, president, instructor, or employee of any of the colleges set forth herein institutions under the supervision, management and control of the Board within two (2) years from the expiration date of expiration of his the term.  Any member who fails to attend a board meeting more than two (2) consecutive meetings without the consent of a majority of the Board, his office shall be declared vacant by the Governor and his successor shall be appointed as provided herein of the member.
SECTION 2.  The Ballot Title for the proposed Constitutional amendment as set forth in SECTION 1 of this resolution shall be in the following form:
BALLOT TITLE
Legislative Referendum No. ____	State Question No. ____
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution.  It amends Section 1 of Article 13-B.  It changes the members who are on the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges.  It takes the Superintendent of Public Instruction off the Board.  It makes the Governor appoint new members.  It lets current members serve to the end of their term.  It requires some members to live in certain counties.  It puts a limit on how many terms a member can serve.  It prohibits persons who work for certain higher education institutions from being on the Board.  It removes outdated language dealing with pay for members, meetings, and attendance at meetings by members.
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?
FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES	_____________
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO 	_____________
SECTION 3.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall, immediately after the passage of this resolution, prepare and file one copy thereof, including the Ballot Title set forth in SECTION 2 hereof, with the Secretary of State and one copy with the Attorney General.

53-2-1895	ALM	1/19/2012 11:15:27 AM