SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1282

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

         Labor & Workforce Development, March 25, 1999

Title:  An act relating to authorizing state employee lump sum relocation assistance.

Brief Description:  Authorizing state agencies to offer incentives to state employees to relocate from one part of the state to another.

Sponsors:  House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Romero, Buck, Miloscia, Linville, Dickerson, Regala and Wolfe; by request of Commissioner of Public Lands).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  3/23/99, 3/25/99 [DPA, DNPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Kline, Oke and Wojahn.

Minority Report:  Do not pass as amended.

  Signed by Senator Hochstatter.

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background:  It can be difficult to recruit or transfer well-qualified candidates for state jobs in remote areas or areas with high real estate prices.  A state agency can use salaries or moving costs to address this difficulty, but there is currently no provision for a relocation payment.

Summary of Amended Bill:  State agencies may, within existing resources, offer a lump-sum relocation payment if necessary to induce a new or current employee to relocate.  An agency doing so must follow rules established by the State Personnel Resources Board.

The lump sum is to be reimbursed if the person receiving it leaves state employment within one year of the new employment.  Reimbursement is not required if the separation is due to layoff, disability or other good cause as determined by an agency director.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The substitute bill's requirement of OFM approval of relocation payment for noncivil service employees is removed.  The amended bill adds exceptions to the reimbursement requirement.  The substitute bill=s limitation of payments to $2,500 and restriction in application to the Department of Natural Resources are removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  State agencies need the ability to make relocation payments as an incentive.  The limitations in the bill should be removed.  The payments can be made using vacancy savings.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Rose Amurao, DNR; Rex Derr, State Parks; Bev Hermanson, WFSE; Lynn McKinnon, WPEA.