Bill would ban ex-legislators from Regents, Trustees for two years

This state House bill was just submitted today -- one that would ban former legislators from becoming a MnSCU trustee or University of Minnesota regent for two years after leaving office.

Nice timing, considering the University of Minnesota Board of Regents will probably discuss concerns of regent Steve Sviggum's potential conflict-of-interest issue at its regular meeting tomorrow and Friday. (He wouldn't be affected by the bill, though, since he's already on the regents and left the legislature in 2007.)

Chief author is Rep. Kate Knuth (DFL - New Brighton), who's on the rules and legislative administration committee. Another is Ryan Winkler (DFL - Golden Valley) from the government operations and elections committee.

Other authors are DFL representatives from the higher-ed committee: Kim Norton (Rochester) and Terry Morrow (St. Peter).

The meat of it is in bold:

H.F. No. 2130,  as introduced - 87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Posted on Feb 08, 2012

1.1A bill for an act

1.2relating to higher education; prohibiting certain officials from serving on the

1.3University of Minnesota Board of Regents or Board of Trustees of the Minnesota

1.4State Colleges and Universities system for a limited time;amending Minnesota

1.5Statutes 2010, section 136F.02, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in

1.6Minnesota Statutes, chapter 137.

1.7BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 136F.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

1.9    Subdivision 1. Membership. The board consists of 15 members appointed by the

1.10governor, including three members who are students who have attended an institution for

1.11at least one year and are currently enrolled at least half time in a degree, diploma, or

1.12certificate program in an institution governed by the board. The student members shall

1.13include one member from a community college, one member from a state university, and

1.14one member from a technical college. One member representing labor must be appointed

1.15after considering the recommendations made under section 136F.045. The governor

1.16is not bound by the recommendations. Appointments to the board are with the advice

1.17and consent of the senate. At least one member of the board must be a resident of each

1.18congressional district. All other members must be appointed to represent the state at large.

1.19In selecting appointees, the governor must consider the needs of the board of trustees and

1.20the balance of the board membership with respect to labor and business representation

1.21and racial, gender, geographic, and ethnic composition.

1.22A commissioner of a state agency may not serve as a member of the board. A

1.23former member of the legislature may not serve as a member of the board for a period of

1.24two years after leaving legislative office.

2.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment

2.2and applies to individuals appointed on or after that date.

2.3    Sec. 2. [137.0231] FORMER LEGISLATORS ON BOARD OF REGENTS;

2.4LIMITATION.

2.5A former member of the legislature may not serve on the Board of Regents for a

2.6period of two years after leaving legislative office.

2.7EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment

2.8and applies to individuals elected to the Board of Regents on or after that date.

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