The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 14 heard testimony on House Bill 1609, a bill that would allow the superintendent of public instruction to name a designee to serve on the state Board of Natural Resources.

Lily Smith, staff to the committee, told members that the Board of Natural Resources currently has six members, including three who represent executive-branch officials: the governor, the commissioner of public lands and the superintendent of public instruction. "Of those, only the governor may use the designee on the board," Smith said in a staff briefing. "House Bill 1609 would allow the superintendent of public instruction to also use a designee on the board."

The bill drew remarks from its prime sponsor, Representative Kevin Waters (17th District), who said the agency requested the change. Waters said OSPI had asked for flexibility so the superintendent could rely on a designee when the superintendent's time is needed elsewhere. "I did ask the agency. I said, I wanna make sure that this opinion, the votes that are taken, are still coming from the superintendent," Waters said. He said agency staff assured him that votes and opinions taken by a designee would reflect the superintendent's views.

Tyler Munch, speaking for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), said the change is about flexibility during what he described as an "unprecedented financial crisis" for schools. Munch said OSPI respects the board and "just want[s] a little additional flexibility so that when perhaps a vote is not occurring ... the superintendent could have [a] representative on the board." He noted there are only two statewide elected officials on the board — the governor and the superintendent — with the remainder being agency heads.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. Chair Reeves asked staff to confirm who currently may use a designee; Smith replied only the governor may do so. Representative Engel asked why only OSPI would be allowed a designee and not other agency officials; Waters said he would be open to that discussion but emphasized the superintendent's time is increasingly consumed by other duties.

The committee closed the public hearing on House Bill 1609. No formal committee action on the bill was recorded during the meeting. For the public record, the clerk read that 1 person signed in pro, 4 con and 13 other on the bill.