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House debates Board of Regents appointments bill, opts to 'circle' it for later
Summary
Representative McKiff presented Senate Bill 52 to require at least two regents appointed from outside metropolitan statistical areas to increase rural representation. After extended debate about whether the bill would change outcomes or merely reshuffle seats, the House voted to circle (defer) the bill for later consideration.
Representative McKiff presented Senate Bill 52 on March 4, 2010, proposing changes to the appointment pattern for the State Board of Regents so that the governor appoints at least two members who reside outside metropolitan statistical areas. McKiff said the change is intended to broaden geographic representation and reflect the distribution of higher-education institutions across the state.
Supporters, including Representative Watkins and Representative Vickers, said rural universities and branches need a stronger voice on the regents and praised the bill's intent to ensure geographic diversity. Representative Webb and other critics questioned whether the draft would merely rearrange representation rather than reduce concentration along the Wasatch Front, and suggested the language could be tightened to prevent circumvention.
Representative Wilcox proposed an amendment to limit membership to no more than one regent from any single county; the motion failed on the floor after debate. Representative Bigelow then moved to 'circle' the bill — a procedural deferral to allow leadership and other meetings to proceed — and the motion to circle passed; the bill was circled for later consideration.
The debate highlighted differing views about whether the Board of Regents should be restructured, how best to guarantee rural voices, and whether population-based or county-based limits better achieve the sponsors' goals. No substantive final action on appointments occurred; the bill remains deferred for future action.
