Bill would make regents appointees

Jennifer Knight

Tuesday, July 2, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

A bill proposed by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, would amend Nevada's Constitution and make the Board of Regents an appointed body rather than an elected one.

The bill, not yet in draft form, also suggests that the size of the board shrink from the current 13 down to a maximum of nine.

Giunchigliani says she is proposing the amendment to make the board more manageable and put a stop to the expensive campaigning.

"Over the years regents have had problems even working with nine members," Giunchigliani said. "And it just seems that regents are spending more and more to run."

Giunchigliani said she has good support for the amendment by some Board of Regents and key legislators.

State Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said he would support the idea if the board were half elected and half appointed, but would like to see the size remain the same.

"I know there is some reluctance on the part of some of the public to do away with some of the elected board," Raggio said. "But I think something like this would be wise."

The creation of the Board of Regents as an elected body was built into Nevada's constitution in 1864. An attempt to weaken the board's authority was struck down by the state Supreme Court in 1948.

Even if the bill sails through the Legislature, it would still take about 10 years for full implementation. A change to the state's Constitution would have to be voted on again by the Legislature, then the public. After that regents would likely still serve out whatever time was left on their six-year term.