Opinion ID: 2277556
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Related Statutes.

Text: Although the wording of § 93 is paramount in our analysis, we must also consider related statutes that have a direct bearing on this case. We have already cited KRS 11.160(2)(h), which permitted Fox to take her seat on the CPE in the interim pending a confirmation vote. But we must also consider KRS 164.011(1), which describes the nomination procedure for members of the CPE. As originally enacted in 1992, that statutory subsection provided as follows: There shall be a Council on Higher Education in Kentucky, appointed for a term set by law pursuant to Section 23 of the Constitution of Kentucky. The council shall be composed of the chief state school officer, and seventeen (17) lay members appointed by the Governor: one (1) from each Supreme Court district, ten (10) at large members which shall include a student member. [14] In 1994, KRS 164.011 was amended in a manner not germane to this case. In 1997, however, KRS 164.011 was substantively amended to require members to be confirmed by both chambers of the General Assembly. [15] After the 1997 amendments, KRS 164.011(1) provides as follows: [16] There is hereby created and established a Council on Postsecondary Education in Kentucky as an agency, instrumentality, and political subdivision of the Commonwealth and a public body corporate and politic having all powers, duties, and responsibilities as are provided to it by law, appointed for a term set by law pursuant to Section 23 of the Constitution of Kentucky. The council shall be composed of the commissioner of education, a faculty member, a student member, and thirteen (13) citizen members appointed by the Governor. The citizen members shall be confirmed by the Senate and the House of Representatives under KRS 11.160, and the commissioner of education shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member. Citizen council members shall be selected from a list of nominees provided to the Governor under the nominating process set forth in KRS 164.005. If the General Assembly is not in session at the time of the appointment, persons appointed shall serve prior to confirmation, but the Governor shall seek the consent of the General Assembly at the next regular session or at an intervening extraordinary session if the matter is included in the call of the General Assembly. (Emphasis added.)