SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 1558

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 26, 1991

Brief Description:  Improving the state patrol compensation survey.

SPONSORS:Representatives R. Meyers, R. Fisher, Schmidt, Orr, Hargrove, G. Fisher, Cooper, Zellinsky, Holland, Winsley, Betrozoff and Ludwig; by request of Legislative Transportation Committee.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, Erwin, Hansen, Madsen, McMullen, Oke, Sellar, Snyder, Thorsness, and Vognild. 

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786‑7307)

Hearing Dates:March 21, 1991; March 26, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Personnel (DOP) is responsible for conducting an annual salary survey for the commissioned personnel of the Washington State Patrol (WSP).

Concerns were expressed by members of the Legislature that the current survey did not reflect the jurisdictions against which the WSP is competing in the recruitment of and retention of commissioned officers.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) commissioned officers' salary survey is broadened to reflect total compensation, as opposed to base pay.  The survey is also broadened to include entry-level officer candidates.

The compensation survey would report median and base range averages, as well as the currently weighted averages of salaries.

The Department of Personnel (DOP) shall compare WSP personnel compensation with law enforcement officers' compensation in the competitive labor market.

The compensation survey results and the recommendations of the WSP chief are to be submitted to the Legislative Transportation Committee, in addition to the current reports submitted to the Office of Financial Management, the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the House fiscal committees.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The reference is deleted that concentrates salary survey on areas of recruitment and retention.

TESTIMONY FOR:

Provides better survey results.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative R. Meyers, prime sponsor; Tim Erickson, WSP