BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to quality awards; adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

The Washington quality award council shall be organized as a private, nonprofit corporation with the assistance of the department of trade and economic development, and after June 30, 1994, with the assistance of the department of community, trade, and economic development, in accordance with chapter 24.03 RCW and this section.

(1) The council shall establish the governor's quality achievement award program. The purpose of the program is to improve the overall competitiveness of the state's economy by setting standards of organizational excellence, encouraging organizational self-assessment, identifying successful organizations as role models, and providing a valuable mechanism for promoting and strengthening a commitment to continuous quality improvement in all sectors of the state's economy. The program shall annually recognize organizations that improve the quality of their products and services and are noteworthy examples of high performing work organizations.

(2) The council shall consist of the governor and the director of the department of community, trade, and economic development, as chair and vice-chair, and members of the general public who shall have backgrounds in or experience with new production technologies, methods of quality control, issues relating to the quality of the workplace, and developments in labor-management relations. The initial membership of the board beyond the chair and vice-chair shall be jointly appointed by the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the senate majority leader from a list of nominees submitted by the quality for Washington state foundation. The list of nominees shall include representatives from the governor's small business improvement council, the Washington state efficiency commission, the Washington state productivity board, the Washington state service quality network, the national association for quality and participation, the American society for quality control, business and labor associations, educational institutions, elected officials, and former recipients of national or state quality awards.

(3) The council may establish a board of examiners, a recognition committee, and such other subcouncil groups as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. Subcouncil groups established by the council may be composed of noncouncilmembers.

(4) The council shall seek support for its administrative and operational expenses from the quality for Washington state foundation.

(5) The council shall, in conjunction with the quality for Washington state foundation, compile a list of resources available for organizations interested in productivity improvement, quality techniques, effective methods of work organization, and upgrading work force skills. The council shall make the list of resources available to the department of community, trade, and economic development and to businesses, labor organizations, and public agencies.

(6) The council may conduct such public information, research, and assistance programs as it deems appropriate to further quality improvement in organizations operating in the state of Washington.

(7) The council shall:

(a) Approve and announce achievement award recipients;

(b) Approve guidelines to examine applicant organizations;

(d) Arrange appropriate annual awards and recognition for recipients;

(e) Formulate recommendations for change in the nomination form or award categories, in cooperation with the quality for Washington state foundation; and

(f) Review related education, training, technology transfer, and research initiatives proposed by the quality for Washington state foundation.

(8) By January 1st of each even-numbered year, the council shall report to the governor and the legislature on its activities in the preceding two years and on any recommendations in state policies or programs that could encourage quality improvement and the development of high performance work organizations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.