The state legislature passed a bill passed Wednesday that would grant the Student Member of the Board (SMOB) almost complete voting rights on issues including the capital and operating budgets, school openings and closings, collective bargaining and redistricting.

In the position’s 35-year history, the SMOB hasn’t been allowed to vote on these issues. After many failed attempts, including last year’s bill’s eleventh hour defeat in the senate, the bill has finally made it past the legislature.

The legislature could finally pass the bill because its main opposition, including former senator and current attorney general Brian Frosh, left the senate, current SMOB Eric Guerci said.

The SMOB can now vote on all Board decisions except those relating to negative personnel, which is when county staff appeals a suspension, firing or other negative action to the Board.
Voting on the budget is the most important part of the bill because it provides a channel for student voice to promote funding of student interest, Guerci said.

Delegate Anne Kaiser, the bill’s head sponsor since 2010, is relieved by the passing of the bill. However, she has seen benefits come from the bill’s slow journey.

“Every year has been an opportunity to educate legislators about the caliber of our student members, and has given the student member a chance to participate in our state level legislative process,” she said.

Governor Larry Hogan now has until mid-May to review the bill. As most measures with overwhelming bipartisan support are approved with no problem, Kaiser expects Hogan to sign off on the bill.

Guerci is glad the long fight for voting rights has finally paid off.

“I’m excited and relieved at the same time,” he said. “It’s about time.”