SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1750
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 Reported by Senate Committee On:
Local Government, February 20, 2020
Title: An act relating to filling vacancies in county sheriff offices.
Brief Description: Filling vacancies in county sheriff offices.
Sponsors: Representatives Mosbrucker and Lovick.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/12/20, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Local Government: 2/20/20, 2/20/20 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Takko, Chair; Salomon, Vice Chair; Short, Ranking Member; Honeyford and Lovelett.
Staff: Bonnie Kim (786-7316)
Background: The civil service commission for county deputy sheriffs and other employees of the office of county sheriffs is comprised of three members appointed by the board of county commissioners. The commission creates rules and regulations for examinations, gives practical and competitive tests, holds and determines appeals, and maintains the eligibility list. When a vacancy occurs within a sheriff's office, it is the duty of the commission to certify the names of the three highest persons on the eligibility list for consideration to the appointing authority for that job class.
If there is no list available, the commission must authorize a temporary list for that job class. A temporary appointment expires after four months. If the commission certifies that it continues to advertise and test for the position, the authority that made the temporary appointment may extend it beyond its four-month expiration. If no list of three prospective candidates for the position can be assembled by one year after the initial temporary appointment was made, then the position may be filled from a list of less than three prospective candidates.
Whenever a position in the classified service becomes vacant, the appointing authority, if it desires to fill the vacancy, must requisition the commission for the names and addresses of persons eligible. Before a requisition can be made, the appointing authority must give employees, who are in layoff status or who have been notified of an intended layoff, an opportunity to qualify for any class within the office of the appointing authority. The commission must certify the names of the three highest persons on the eligibility list for consideration to the appointing authority for that job class and who is willing to accept employment. If there is no appropriate eligible list for the class, the commission must certify the names of the three persons standing highest on the list held appropriate for the job class.
Summary of Bill: The number of persons on an eligibility list authorized to fill a vacant position in a county sheriff's office is increased. In all instances when a vacancy occurs, the commission must supply the names of the five, instead of the three, persons highest on the eligibility list for consideration to the appointing authority for that job class.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Sheriff's departments in small towns have struggled to recruit and retain candidates. This bill will make it easier for enforcement agencies across the state to recruit and maintain officers. WACO members voted in support of this bill as a legislative priority. This gives the same flexibility already available to municipal police departments. This is parity between cities and counties.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Gina Mosbrucker, Prime Sponsor; Timothy Grisham, Washington Association of County Official; James McMahan, Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.