State legislators fired criticism and intense interrogations at the Board of Regents Tuesday during a bill hearing that would hand lawmakers the power to implement changes in executive salaries.

In addition, legislators and committee members expressed frustration about the manner in which the Regents approved pay-range adjustments for University of Wisconsin System leaders and administrators in early September. The decision was met during a relatively conspicuous, hastily planned telephone conference.

Because of the way the meeting was held, the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee announced that the Attorney General’s office is investigating whether the board violated the open-meetings law.

Likewise, an Assembly bill is currently waiting for committee action that would alter current policies within the board. The proposal would require UW to forego its exemption from Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law.

State Senator Tom Reynolds, R-West Allis, is the author of the Senate version of the proposal and thinks such a change in Regent workings is a necessary measure and that such concerns are repercussions of the board’s previous actions.

Reynolds believes it is important that the board abide by the same types of procedures that other government bodies employ. He feels this is especially important in light of the considerable issues the Regents handle, such as the “substantial amount of tax dollars” that they budget.

Some members of Democratic committees, however, raised concerns about the bill and how it could potentially alter the number of university subunits that would need to be notified of meetings. In addition, several Regents argued that the proposal would increase Legislature oversight of the board.

If the measure is passed, the bill will be ready for Assembly action.

The Board of Regents is meeting later this week and is scheduled to reevaluate its vote Friday.