S-3192.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6075
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State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1992 Regular Session
By Senators Thorsness, Rasmussen, McCaslin, Owen, Metcalf, Nelson, Oke, Stratton, Cantu, L. Smith, Amondson, Barr, Anderson, Craswell and Erwin
Read first time 01/15/92. Referred to Committee on Governmental Operations.
AN ACT Relating to state government employment; adding a new section to chapter 41.04 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the rate of growth in the number of persons employed by state government has been far exceeding the growth rate in the state's population. This trend has the effect of increasing the burden placed on the citizens of the state in terms of taxation necessary to support that level of employment, as well as fostering an excessively regulatory environment that hampers the economic growth and well-being of the state. For these reasons, it is necessary to establish controls on the growth of state government employment.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 41.04 RCW to read as follows:
(1) For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1992, and each fiscal year thereafter, the number of state employees shall not increase at an annual rate that exceeds the annual rate of growth in the state's population during the previous fiscal year, as estimated by the United States bureau of the census.
((2) The limitation on employment established under subsection (1) of this section shall be calculated, administered, and enforced separately for each of the three branches of state government in the following manner:
(a) For all agencies under the executive branch of state government, the limitation shall be calculated, administered, and enforced by the governor, with the assistance of the office of financial management, the department of personnel, and the higher education personnel board.
(b) For all agencies under the legislative branch, the limitation shall be calculated, administered, and enforced jointly by the chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate.
(c) For all agencies of the judicial branch, the limitation shall be calculated, administered, and enforced by the chief justice of the supreme court.
(3) No agency of state government may employ or retain any person if, by such action, the employment limitations established under this section are exceeded.
(4) "Number of state employees," as used in this section, means the number of persons employed full time by the state, the full-time equivalent number of persons employed on a part-time basis, and the full-time equivalent number of persons retained for personal services by the state on a contractual basis.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.