SENATE BILL REPORT

                  EHB 2648

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          State & Local Government, February 24, 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 & Local Government:  2/23/2000, 2/24/2000 [DPA, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Hale, Horn, Kline and McCaslin.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senator Gardner, Vice Chair.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

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 provided staff assistance to the council.

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 Amended Bill:  This council is reestablished.

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.

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.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The striking amendment removes the termination  of the council in 2004.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.