ASWSU senators unanimously passed a bill Wednesday night amending the section of the bylaws that deals with powers and restrictions of ASWSU executives. The amendment is part of an ongoing project headed by District 6 Sen. Joey Pacific to clarify the wordy bylaws.

The bill lessens restrictions on executives and gives the board more freedom to structure departments how they see fit, Pacific said. The amendment focused on the department of legislative affairs, significantly reducing its regulations.

“They are on the frontlines of talking with the legislature about student issues, so we feel like they have the knowledge to structure their department how they need to,” he said.

The amendment eliminates the department’s mandatory administrative assistants because the requirement was too intrusive, he said.

“My thought in writing this bill was that too many rules can spoil creativity, and we really need some creative solutions to the problems that students face because it’s time that we get things done,” he said. “I think (the bills) will help ASWSU achieve more by cutting down the bureaucracy.”

Pro-Tempore Derrick Skaug made the motion to pass the bill.

“Too many rules can make us less efficient, so it gives us a little leeway,” he said. “I definitely encourage everyone to vote for this bill.”

Pacific said he is pleased with the progress of his ongoing project to revise and clarify the bylaws. Earlier this month, senators passed a similar bill that revised the bylaws that deal with the senate.

“It’ll make it a lot easier for students to transition into the role of being senators after they’re elected,” he said. “I’m hoping it’ll have an impact next year when it’s all done."

District 1 Sen. Tim Kirima said he thinks simplifying the bylaws will help ASWSU in years to come. He read through the bylaws at the beginning of the school year and said they were long and confusing. 

Kirima, who is in the senate’s internal relations committee, said the committee aimed to clarify the bylaws by the end of the academic year. Pacific took it upon himself to head the bylaw revision project.

“We’re just simplifying them, making them shorter and easier to read,” he said. “It’s going to make us more efficient."

Get to know your senators:

Name: Ryan Stewart

Year: Junior

Major: Physics

Hometown: Boise, Idaho

Occupation: District 7 senator, assistant hall director for Stephenson South

Favorite movie: “Jurassic Park”

Hero: Albert Einstein

Goal for the year: “I want to bring safety to the students of WSU, especially (for) those living in the residence halls on the south side of campus.”