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House junks lowering board members’ qualifications
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Posted on Oct 04 2004
The House of Representatives has rejected a bill that aims to waive the educational requirement in the appointment of department heads, board members, or commission members.
The House voted 10-2 against House Bill 14-226, which aimed to amend the law setting the educational qualifications of persons appointed as department heads, board members, or commission members.
The bill, authored by Rep. Janet Maratita, said the existing educational requirements for these positions “may be unduly restrictive.”
Maratita said that many people “have gained valuable management and life experiences on the job.”
As such, she said her bill would give appointing authorities “the discretion to appoint people as department heads, board members or commission members who are otherwise qualified but for their lack of formal educational experience.”
The bill provides that the appointing authority may waive the educational requirement if, in the judgment of the appointing authority, the appointee has a minimum of five years professional supervisory, managerial, or voluntary experience.
Maratita said voluntary experience includes “serving as a board member officer, or chairperson in prestigious organizations that includes…organizations providing services to the health and welfare of the general public.”
The bill, according to House authorities, was voted on when Maratita “forced” it to be placed in the agenda during a recent session.
