Higher education presidents

AN ACT Relating to the appointment of presidents of institutions 1
of higher education; adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW; 2
creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that the hiring 5
of presidents at public institutions of higher education is a matter 6
of public interest. To further this interest, the legislature intends 7
to ensure that the top leadership of Washington's public institutions 8
of higher education is selected in a manner that reflects principles 9
of academic partnership with faculty, staff, and students, includes 10
opportunities for input from members of the public, and complies with 11
the open public meetings act.12
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 13
RCW to read as follows: 14
(1) The governing board of each respective institution of higher 15
education shall appoint the institution's president in accordance 16
with the following provisions: 17
(a) The governing board shall provide public notice for up to 18
four priority candidates for the position of president of their 19
respective institution. Public notice must be provided at least 30 20
H-0530.1
HOUSE BILL 1337
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Pollet, McEntire, Reed, Macri, and Nance
Read first time 01/16/25. Referred to Committee on Postsecondary
Education & Workforce.
p. 1 HB 1337
days prior to the date of the public meeting of the governing board 1
at which a final action or vote is to be taken on the employment of a 2
priority candidate. The public meeting must be an open public meeting 3
in compliance with the open public meetings act pursuant to chapter 4
42.30 RCW. A priority candidate's employment application, resume, 5
reference letters, and school transcripts must be made available with 6
the public notice; and 7
(b) Prior to the public meeting and after public notice is 8
provided pursuant to (a) of this subsection, the governing board 9
shall provide a public forum at the institution's campus for the 10
priority candidates for the position of president of the institution 11
to provide the public, including the media and students, faculty, and 12
staff of the institution, with an opportunity to meet and ask 13
questions or provide input regarding the priority candidates.14
(2) For purposes of this section, "priority candidate" means an 15
individual preliminarily selected to fill a vacancy in a position 16
appointed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.17
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate 18
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of 19
the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes 20
effect immediately.21
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p. 2 HB 1337