This bill amends the composition of the West Virginia Hope Scholarship Board, which oversees the Hope Scholarship Program. The board will now consist of nine members, including the State Treasurer, State Auditor, State Attorney General, State Superintendent of Schools, Chancellor of Higher Education, Director of the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs, and three parent members appointed by the Governor. Notably, the State Attorney General, State Superintendent of Schools, and Chancellor of Higher Education will serve as nonvoting members. The bill also removes the provision that allowed for the initial appointments of board members to include parents who intend to apply for the Hope Scholarship, focusing instead on parents of current scholarship students.

Additionally, the bill establishes that the parent members must reside in geographically diverse areas and represent a range of educational options, such as microschools. Appointed parent members will serve staggered three-year terms, with provisions for filling vacancies. The board members will serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred during their official duties. The Treasurer will act as the chairman of the board, and a majority of members will constitute a quorum for conducting business. Members are also required to adhere to the ethical standards set forth in the West Virginia Governmental Ethics Act.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-31-3