Two Spokane state senators introduced a bill calling for increased oversight of the athletic departments at WSU and the University of Washington.

The bill, from Sen. Michael Baumgartner and Sen. Andy Billig, states that a state university whose athletic department has a budget deficit for three consecutive calendar years must have their athletic budget approved by the senate commerce, labor and sports committee.

WSU’s athletics department has had a budget deficit of more than $13 million the past two years, and the University of Washington’s has a deficit of $15 million.

Reporting by Sarah Olsen