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                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 3184

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                                         AS AMENDED BY THE FREE CONFERENCECOMMITTEE

                                                                          C 463 L 85 PV

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senator Thompson)

Read first time 3/5/85.

AN ACT Relating to state-owned housing; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature recognizes that significant benefits accrue to the state and that certain types of state operations are more efficient when personnel services are available on an extended basis.  Such operations include certain types of facilities managed by agencies such as the departments of natural resources, corrections, fisheries, game, social and health services, transportation, veterans affairs, and the parks and recreation commission.

          The means of assuring that such personnel are available on an extended basis is through the establishment of on-site state-owned or leased living facilities.  The legislature also recognizes the restrictions and hardship placed upon those personnel who are required to reside in such state-owned or leased living facilities in order to provide extended personnel services.

          The legislature further recognizes that there are instances where it is to the benefit of the state to have state-owned or leased living facilities occupied even though such occupancy is not required by the agency as a condition of employment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     (1) Whenever an agency requires that an employee reside in state-owned or leased living facilities as a condition of employment, such living facilities shall be made available to the employee under the conditions set forth in sections 3 and 4 of this act.

          (2) Whenever an agency determines that (a) a living facility owned or leased by the agency is not occupied by employees under subsection (1) of this section and (b) it would be to the agency's benefit to have the facility occupied by an employee of the agency whose duties involve extended personnel services associated with the work site upon which the living facility is located or at work site near to where the living facility is located, the agency may make the facility available to such employee.

          (3) Whenever an agency determines that (a) a living facility owned or leased by the agency is not occupied by employees under subsection (1) of this section and (b) the facility has been made available to employees under subsection (2) of this section and that no such employees have opted to reside in the facility, the agency may make the facility available for occupancy to other interested parties.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     (1) No rent may be charged to persons living in facilities provided under section 2 (1) and (2) of this act.  Such employees shall pay the costs of utilities associated with the living facility.

          (2) Rent and utility charges to residents of living facilities under section 2(3) of this act shall be established by the agency responsible for managing the living facility.

          (3) Utility charges required by this section shall be based upon six cents per month per square foot to a maximum of thirteen hundred square feet, outside dimension.  Utility costs may be adjusted by the department of general administration on a yearly basis to reflect an average of utility rate changes affecting all state-owned housing in the state.  Individuals residing in living facilities available under section 2 of this act shall pay all utility costs attributable to the personal enhancements of the individual.

          (4) Any person occupying state-owned or leased living facilities shall do so with the understanding that he or she assumes custodial housekeeping responsibility as directed by the agency.  Such responsibility shall not include maintenance, repairs, or improvements to the facilities.  An occupant of a state-owned or leased facility is liable for damages to the facility in excess of normal wear and tear.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The state shall maintain living facilities occupied under section 2 of this act in a safe, healthful condition.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

                                                                                                                           Passed the Senate April 27, 1985.

                                                                                                                                       President of the Senate.

                                                                                                                           Passed the House April 27, 1985.

                                                                                                                                         Speaker of the House.