HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1878

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to transfers of accumulated leave of employees of the state school for the blind and the school for the deaf.

Brief Description: Authorizing the transfer of accumulated leave of employees of the state school for the blind and the school for the deaf.

Sponsors: Representatives Jacks, Driscoll, Maxwell, Wallace, Quall, Green, Darneille, Moeller and Kenney; by request of Washington State School for the Blind.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Ways & Means: 2/19/09, 2/27/09 [DP].

Floor Activity

Passed House: 3/6/09, 96-0.

Passed Senate: 3/31/09, 48-0.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes transfer of accumulated leave between the Washington State School for the Blind and the School for the Deaf and other educational entities.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dammeier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Pettigrew, Priest, Ross, Schmick, Seaquist and Sullivan.

Staff: Wendy Polzin (786-7137)

Background:

State and school district employees earn leave time for vacations, illness, and other purposes. Accumulated leave of certificated and classified employees is transferrable to and from one school district to another, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Educational Service Districts (ESDs).

In 2008 the Legislature extended this transferability to the K-12 and higher education schools. However, K-12 and ESD employees cannot transfer their accumulated leave if they accept employment at the Washington State School for the Blind or the Washington School for the Deaf, which are state agencies. Similarly, employees of these schools lose their accumulated leave if they transfer to a K-12 school or ESD.

Summary of Bill:

The transfer of accumulated leave of K-12 and ESD employees to and from the Washington State School for the Blind and School for the Deaf is authorized.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill is fixing a problem that was made inadvertently. While the fiscal notes reflect indeterminate costs, it can be viewed as zero cost because teachers come and go throughout educational entities. This legislation will be good for both the School for the Deaf and School for the Blind as well as good for all employees. This is a good investment because there are a limited number of teachers for the blind.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Jacks, prime sponsor; and Dean Stenehjem, Washington State School for the Blind.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.