HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 EHB 2648

                      As Passed House:

                      February 14, 2000

Title:  An act relating to quality awards.

Brief Description:  Revising the Washington state quality award program.

Sponsors:  Representatives Miloscia, Romero and D. Schmidt; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

State Government:  1/28/00, 2/4/00 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/14/00, 85-10.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Reestablishes the Washington Quality Award Council and related Quality Award Program to remain in existence until July 1, 2004.

$Eliminates details about the council, including its membership, how members are appointed, and size.

$Eliminates the responsibility of the Secretary of State to provide administrative services to the council, if moneys are specifically appropriated for this purpose.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 6 members:  Representatives Romero, Democratic Co-Chair; Campbell, Republican Vice Chair; Miloscia, Democratic Vice Chair; Dunshee; Haigh and D. Schmidt.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives McMorris, Republican Co-Chair and Lambert.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:

The Washington Quality Award Council was organized by statute in 1994 as a private, nonprofit organization to oversee the Governor's Washington State Quality Achievement Award Program.  This council ceased to exist on July 1, 1999, unless otherwise extended by law.

The council consisted of the Governor and Secretary of State, or their designees, and 27 recognized professionals with experience in quality management and innovative labor-management experience.  The Office of the Secretary of State provides staff assistance to the council, if the Legislature appropriates funds specifically designated for this purpose. $120,000 was appropriated in the 1999-01 biennium for this purpose.

The council attempts to improve the overall competitiveness of the state's economy by stimulating industries, businesses, and organizations to bring about measurable success by setting standards of organization excellence, encouraging organizational self-assessment, identifying successful organizations, and promoting and strengthening a commitment to continuous quality improvement.  These purposes are accomplished by: (1) compiling a list of resources available for organizations interested in productivity improvement, quality techniques, methods of work organization, and upgrading work force skills; (2) making achievement awards; and (3) reviewing related education, training, and research initiatives.

Summary of Bill:

A number of changes are made to the Governor's Washington State Quality Achievement Award Program.

This council is reestablished by replacing its July 1, 1999, with a July 1, 2004, termination date.

The award program is renamed the Washington State Quality Award Program by dropping the word "Achievement" from its name.

Details about membership on the Washington Quality Award Council are eliminated, including the number of members on the council, the positions of the Governor and Secretary of State, or their designees, on the council, and how the remaining members on the council are appointed, with the sole exception that the Governor is allowed to appoint a single representative on the council.

The requirement is deleted that the Secretary of State provide administrative services for the council, if moneys are specifically appropriated for this purpose.

The Governor presents annual awards to organizations, as determined by the council in consultation with the Governor or the appointed representative.

The responsibility is eliminated for the council to:  (1) compile a list of resources available for organizations interested in productivity improvement, quality techniques, methods of work organization, and upgrading workforce skills; and (2) review related education, training, and research initiatives.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This is one of the best things to improve quality and effectiveness in both the private and public sectors. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Mark Miloscia, prime sponsor; and Tamara Garcia, Washington State Quality Award Program.