Idaho House Panel OKs College Trustee Bill

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho House panel has backed a proposal to require community college trustees be elected from designated zones inside community college districts.

Republican Rep. Greg Chaney of Caldwell says his bill would divide two-year college districts into five zones with equal populations. Chaney added that community colleges need to be more evenly represented by people in the communities they serve, particularly in rural areas.

However, several Democratic members on the House State Affairs Committee argued against the motion, asking the committee for more time for the measure to be thoroughly vetted. The motion passed 13-3 Monday. The proposal must now pass both the House and the Senate before being submitted to the governor for a final approval.