HB 6 Summary

• Governor may suspend a Board of Regents member for pending criminal charges (felony or specific misdemeanor), ethics violations, licensing violations, or probable cause findings of malfeasance or nonfeasance in office, after providing notice and opportunity for hearing.

• Governor may remove a regent for "good cause," defined as ethics violations, felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions involving dishonesty or breach of trust, substantial malfeasance or nonfeasance in office, licensing violations, or failure to meet regent qualifications.

• Removal requires clear and convincing evidence; suspended regents may request hearings at any time to defend against suspension grounds or request lifting of suspension.

• Hearings are conducted by the office of administrative hearings with proposed decisions subject to administrative appeal procedures; final decisions are filed with the lieutenant governor.

• Legislature clarified that University of Alaska and Board of Regents remain insulated from politics but subject to appropriate nonpolitical legislative and executive oversight.