Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 49, Chapter 8.

ON MARCH 21, 2024, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1596, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 adds to this bill by requiring the state university board for Tennessee State University ("board") to be vacated and reconstituted, as described below. COMPOSITION OF RECONSTITUTED BOARD This amendment provides that the board is vacated on the effective date of the bill, and reconstituted to consist of 10 members of which nine members must be voting members and one member must be a nonvoting member. The nonvoting member must be a student representative. Of the nine voting members, at least six members must be residents of this state. Eight of the voting state university board members must be appointed by the governor. At least three of the members appointed by the governor must be alumni of the institution for which they are serving. In making appointments, the governor must strive to ensure that the state university boards are composed of members who are diverse in sex, race, perspective, experience, and honorable military service. One voting board member must be a faculty member of the institution who must be selected in a manner determined by the faculty senate of the respective institution. The nonvoting student member must be appointed by the state university board. This amendment prohibits employees of any public institution of higher education except those faculty members appointed to the board under this amendment, elected or appointed officials, state employees, and members of a governing body for a public institution of higher education from serving as a member of the board. TERMS OF BOARD MEMBERS This amendment requires the initial terms of the board members appointed by the governor to be three, four, and six years. Three members must serve a three-year term; three members must serve a four-year term; and two members must serve a six-year term. As the initial terms of the initial board members expire, successors must be appointed for six-year terms. The faculty member must serve a term of two years. The nonvoting student member must serve a term of one year. Board members appointed by the governor are eligible to serve for two consecutive terms. A member who serves two consecutive terms on a board may be reappointed after at least four years have elapsed since the member's last date of service. CONFIRMATION OF BOARD MEMBERS This amendment requires the eight members of the board appointed by the governor to be subject to confirmation by the senate and the house of representatives, but appointments must be effective until adversely acted upon by joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives. VACANCIES ON THE BOARD This amendment requires vacancies occurring on the board to be filled as followed: (1) If a vacancy occurs by death or resignation, the vacancy must be filled for the remainder of the term; or (2) If a vacancy occurs by reason of expiration of term, the board member whose term is expiring must serve until a successor is appointed. TRAINING This amendment requires the eight members appointed by the governor to serve on the board to attend orientation seminars coordinated and administered by the Tennessee higher education commission ("commission") within their first year of service. MEETINGS This amendment requires the governor to call the first meeting of the board, at which time the board must assume responsibility for the management and governance of Tennessee State University. Afterward, the board must meet at least four times each year and make its meetings available for public viewing as provided in the existing law. This amendment requires the board to elect from its members a chair, who must serve a term of two years, and other officers the board deems appropriate. The board must adopt bylaws and rules for the organization and conduct of its business, as well as a policy that facilitates ongoing professional development for its members.