The bill approved today is the companion, or "enabling," measure, for a proposed state constitutional amendment changing the regent selection process, which was approved by both houses on Monday.

It also expands the nine-member board to 15 members and provides for staggered terms.

Republicans in the Legislature say the proposed constitutional amendment is another effort by majority Democrats to strip Republican Gov. Linda Lingle of her power. While the governor cannot veto the constitutional amendment proposal, she could veto the companion bill. However, she has not indicated whether she would do so, said her spokesman, Russell Pang.

Voters will be asked on the November 2006 ballot whether the current process should be changed to have the regents selected by the governor from a list proposed by the advisory council. The regents now are appointed directly by the governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

In proposing an expansion of the board, Sen. Clayton Hee, chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said he was following the recommendation of the current board.

The current members had urged that the nine-member board be expanded to 13.

The terms of the regents would be changed from the present four years, with the possibility of reappointment to a second term, to a five-year term with subject to reconfirmation by the Senate near the end of the first term if reappointed to a second.

At least five of the board members would be from O'ahu, two each would be from the Big Island and Maui, and one from Kaua'i.

The provisions changing the makeup of the board would not be invalidated if voters reject the constitutional amendment changing the selection process.

The current regents also urged that the advisory council be appointed by the governor, Senate president and House speaker rather than by the various UH and community organizations.

In an April 25 letter to Senate President Robert Bunda and House Speaker Calvin Say, regents chairwoman Patricia Lee said the Association of Governing Boards "cautions against screening bodies that are composed of special interest representatives."

The Senate had proposed a 12-member council, while the House decided on 11 members, with most of the members selected by various groups within the UH system.

However, the compromise calls for a seven-member advisory council. One member each would be appointed by the governor, Senate president, House speaker, UH system Council of Faculty Senate Chairpersons, UH Student Caucus, UH Alumni Association, and the Association of Emeritus Regents, a group of more than 60 former UH regents.

Both Senate and House conferees said the regent selection process should be free of politics. Rep. Tommy Waters, D-51st (Lanikai-Waimanalo), chairman of the House Higher Education Committee, unsuccessfully sought to prevent council members from being involved in political campaigns. The Senate side raised First Amendment concerns.