Bill would remove mandatory attorney membership from some state quasi‑judicial boards, governor’s office says appointments are difficult
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Summary
House Bill 603 would eliminate statutory requirements that certain quasi‑judicial state boards include an attorney as a member. The governor’s appointments adviser said the requirement makes it hard to fill some boards; supporters said boards already have counsel and that appointed attorneys cannot represent the board.
House Bill 603 would remove a statutory requirement that specific state ‘‘quasi‑judicial’’ boards include an attorney as an appointed member, the sponsor told the committee. The change is aimed at easing appointments to dozens of boards where a certified attorney is difficult to recruit.
Hannah Slusser, the governor’s boards and appointments adviser, told the committee that 18 boards are listed under the quasi‑judicial designation and several already have exemptions; some boards (for example, the Board of Aeronautics) have been difficult to staff with an attorney and remain dormant for lack of a qualified member. She emphasized that boards already retain or are provided legal counsel through departments and that an appointed attorney cannot serve as the board’s legal counsel because of conflict-of-interest rules.
Supporters said the change is administrative and would not bar boards from appointing attorneys if they choose. No opponents spoke in the hearing and no amendments were offered on the floor. The sponsor waived the close.
Why it matters: The bill affects how the governor fills certain boards with adjudicatory functions and could speed appointments for regulatory and licensing bodies that need quorum to act.