HB 3297: Establishing the Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship at West Virginia University. - West Virginia

hb3297 sfa stuart _1 4-11 adopted.htm → hb3297 sfat stuart _1 4-11 adopted.htm · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill title was expanded to include a comprehensive description of the Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship, while a specific amendment regarding legislative employment restrictions was replaced with a more detailed title summary. The change clarifies the bill's purpose and scope without altering the core legislative restrictions on legislators working at the center.

Scope change

The bill's scope was clarified through a more descriptive title that outlines the center's creation, operational requirements, and legislative employment restrictions, though the substantive policy content remains consistent.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was expanded from a brief identifier to a comprehensive description detailing the bill's provisions, including the center's creation, university infrastructure requirements, faculty appointments, director reporting structure, curriculum approval processes, and legislative employment restrictions.

REQUIREMENT

A specific amendment proposal by Senator Stuart to add subsection (j) regarding legislative employment restrictions was removed, as these restrictions are now included in the expanded bill title rather than as a separate amendment.

hb3297 sfa oliverio _1 4-11 adopted.htm → hb3297 sfa stuart _1 4-11 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended from Senator Oliverio's version to Senator Stuart's version, shifting the focus from establishing the director's qualifications and appointment process to adding an ethics provision that restricts legislators from working at or directing the center after leaving office. This change adds a new requirement about post-legislative service restrictions rather than modifying how the center is led.

Scope change

The bill now includes restrictions on former legislators' employment and director roles at the center, expanding the bill's scope to include ethical standards for lawmakers.

REQUIREMENT

Removed provisions about the center director reporting to university leadership, the appointment process requiring Senate confirmation, director qualifications regarding western tradition and American founding, five-year renewable terms, tenure protections, and the process for filling director vacancies.

Added a new subsection prohibiting legislators from being employed by the center or serving as director during or up to two years after leaving legislative service.

TECHNICAL

Changed the amendment location from pages 2-3, section 8, lines 44-52 and 62-65 to page 4, section (8), after line 88, and added instruction to re-letter remaining subsections.

hb3297 hfat mcgeehan 4-12 adopted.htm → hb3297 sfa oliverio _1 4-11 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change how the center director is appointed and to clarify their reporting structure. The original version allowed the director to report to multiple university officials, while the amendment requires the director to report directly to the university president. The amendment also establishes a specific appointment process where the Governor appoints the initial director with Senate approval, and subsequent directors are selected from a list of finalists provided by an academic council.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding director appointment authority changed from university-controlled to Governor-controlled with Senate confirmation, and the reporting structure was narrowed to require direct reporting to the university president only.

REQUIREMENT

Changed director reporting structure from multiple university officials to direct reporting to the university president only

Added specific appointment process requiring Governor to appoint initial director with Senate advice and consent

Added requirement for academic council to provide list of finalists for subsequent director appointments

hb3297 hfat kelly 4-12 adopted.htm → hb3297 hfat mcgeehan 4-12 adopted.htm · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill title was updated from Delegate Kelly to Delegate McGeehan, reflecting a change in the legislative sponsor. This is a technical amendment that does not alter the substantive policy content of the bill.

TECHNICAL

The name of the legislative sponsor was changed from Delegate Kelly to Delegate McGeehan in the title and amendment description.

hb3297 s fin am _1 4-9 adopted.htm → hb3297 hfat kelly 4-12 adopted.htm · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended from a Senate Finance Committee version to a House version with a new title. The substantive content of Article 11 regarding the Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship appears to remain largely unchanged, though the House version includes a more detailed title describing the bill's provisions.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was changed from 'HB3297 S FIN AM #1 4-9' to 'HB3297 HFAT Kelly 4-12' with an expanded descriptive title added by Delegate Kelly.

Committee attribution changed from 'Committee on Finance' to 'Delegate Kelly' indicating the bill moved from Senate to House consideration.

Committee Substitute → hb3297 s fin am _1 4-9 adopted.htm · 6 edits

MODERATE

The Finance Committee amended HB 3297 to significantly reduce the Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship's independence by placing it under university administration rather than as an independent entity. The changes give the provost authority over hiring, tenure, and budget decisions, require university approval for director appointments, and mandate adherence to standard institutional policies, effectively removing protections that would have allowed the center to operate with greater autonomy.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from creating an independent center with protected faculty hiring authority to establishing a center that operates under direct university administration and must follow standard institutional procedures.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the center from an independent entity to a standard university unit, requiring it to work with the university for infrastructure and space rather than receiving it directly.

Removed the director's sole authority over faculty hiring and tenure decisions, transferring these powers to the provost and requiring university official approval.

Changed director appointment from Governor's sole authority to require Governor consultation with the university president.

Added requirement that all curriculum must undergo Board of Governors-level review and approval processes.

Modified faculty appointment requirements to mandate joint or courtesy appointments within other university divisions rather than making them optional.

Added new requirements for the center to adhere to all institutional policies regarding hiring, reviews, and office space spending.

Enrolled Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to establish the Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship as an independent entity within West Virginia University rather than just a unit of the university. Key changes include granting the center director sole and exclusive authority over hiring, tenure decisions, curriculum, and budget without requiring university official approval, adding protections for faculty if the center is discontinued, and clarifying the director's appointment process and academic council term structures.

Scope change

The center's status changed from a university unit to an independent academic entity with expanded autonomy over personnel and operational decisions.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the center's status from a university unit to an independent entity with greater operational autonomy.

Added provision that no university official or faculty from outside the center can block faculty hires into the center.

Added protections guaranteeing faculty reappointment and comparable office space if the center is discontinued.

Added specific term structures for academic council members with staggered initial terms of two and four years.

Added provision requiring academic council to transmit finalist list to Governor for director selection after initial director.

Added new subsection (h) granting director sole and exclusive authority over hiring, tenure, curriculum, budget, and scheduling without university approval.

Removed requirement for Board of Governors approval of curriculum and replaced with director's sole authority over curriculum development.

TIMELINE

Changed director appointment timeline from 'by and with advice and consent' to appointment by Governor within 30 days of effective date.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 8 edits · Apr 30, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized into its enrolled version with significant substantive changes that reduce the center's independence and increase oversight. The most critical change is that the director now must exercise authority in consultation with the university president and provost, whereas the committee version granted the director sole and exclusive authority over key decisions like hiring and curriculum. Additionally, the enrollment version adds new requirements for legislative members to avoid employment conflicts, mandates adherence to all institutional policies, and requires curriculum approval through the Board of Governors.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed from an independent entity with autonomous authority to a unit operating under university oversight with consultation requirements for major decisions.

REQUIREMENT

Director authority changed from sole and exclusive to requiring consultation with the university president and provost for all decisions.

New requirement that the center must adhere to all institutional policies and procedures.

New requirement that curriculum must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Governors.

New restrictions preventing legislators from being employed by the center or serving as director for two years after leaving office.

Curriculum development now requires consultation with the university to ensure accreditation is maintained.

New requirement that faculty must meet the institution's faculty qualifications policy meeting Higher Learning Commission standards.

New requirement for an annual report to the Board of Governors and Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

Director appointment process now requires Senate confirmation by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 6 edits · Apr 12, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to strengthen the Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship by requiring the university to provide physical infrastructure and office space, adding detailed authority for the director over hiring and budget decisions, and including protections for faculty if the center is discontinued. The changes clarify that the director's decisions on enumerated areas are final without needing university approval and add a requirement for an annual report to state oversight bodies.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly require the university to provide reasonable infrastructure, classroom space, and office space for the center, and to add specific enumerated areas of director authority including budget control and final decision-making power.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for the university to provide reasonable infrastructure, classroom space, and office space for the center

Added annual report requirement to the West Virginia University Board of Governors and Joint Committee on Government and Finance

Expanded director's authority to include final decision-making power without needing university approval on enumerated areas

Added specific enumerated areas of director authority including hiring, budget, curriculum, and conference management

Added protections for tenure-track faculty including reappointment rights and comparable office space if the center is discontinued

Added provision that all subsequent terms for academic council members after initial terms shall last four years

Establishing the Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship at West Virginia University.

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