74-32,401. Postsecondary technical education authority; membership qualifications; vacancies; meetings; compensation. (a) There is hereby established the postsecondary technical education authority. The authority shall be composed of 12 members appointed as follows:

(1) Four members shall be appointed by the state board of regents. Of the members appointed by the state board of regents: Two shall be members of the state board of regents, or the designee thereof; one shall be a representative of the community colleges which provides technical education, or the designee thereof; and one shall be a representative of the technical colleges in the state, or the designee thereof;

(2) three members shall be appointed by the governor. Of the members appointed by the governor: One shall represent Kansas business and industry; and two shall represent the general public;

(3) one member shall be appointed by the president of the senate and shall be a representative of business and industry;

(4) one member shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and shall be a representative of business and industry; and

(5) the commissioner of education, the secretary of commerce and the secretary of labor, or the designee thereof, who shall serve as ex officio members of the authority.

(b) When making appointments of the representatives of Kansas business and industry and the general public, consideration shall be given to persons who are recognized for their knowledge or expertise and are representative of current and emerging technical career clusters of the state. No more than two members of the authority shall be representative of any one specific technical career cluster. Of the members appointed to represent Kansas business and industry and the general public, there shall be appointed at least one member from each congressional district. Redistricting of congressional districts occurring subsequent to a member's appointment shall not disqualify any member of the authority from service. The state board of regents shall determine the technical career clusters of the state.

(c) No more than five voting members of the authority shall be members of the same political party.

(d) Any vacancy in the membership of the authority shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as provided for original appointment of the member.

(e) The members of the authority shall meet and organize annually by electing one member as chairperson, except that the governor shall designate the first chairperson of the authority from among the first members appointed.

(f) The authority may meet at any time and at any place within the state on the call of the chairperson. A quorum of the authority shall be five voting members. All actions of the authority shall be by motion adopted by a majority of those voting members present when there is a quorum.

(g) Members of the authority attending meetings of the authority, or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof authorized by the authority, shall be paid compensation, subsistence allowances, mileage and other expenses as provided in K.S.A. 75-3212, and amendments thereto, for members of the legislature.

History: L. 2007, ch. 199, § 1; L. 2011, ch. 97, § 35; July 1.