HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB
6220
As Passed House - Amended
March 3, 1994
Title: An act relating to quality awards.
Brief Description: Creating the quality award council.
Sponsors: Senator Cantu.
Brief History:
Reported by House Committee on:
Trade, Economic Development & Housing, February 24, 1994, DPA.
Passed House - Amended, March 3, 1994.
HOUSE COMMITTEE
ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Quall; Sheldon; Springer; Valle and Wood.
Staff: Kenny Pittman (786-7392).
Background: Businesses have found that to survive in an economic environment where customers are no longer bound by national interests, they must offer quality products and services that outperform those of worldwide competitors. Nationally, the Malcolm Baldridge Award has set standards for excellence, encouraged organizational self-assessment, identified successful organizations as role models, and promoted a commitment to quality improvement. Many states have established state quality awards to further these same goals.
Summary of Bill: The Washington Quality Award Council is established as a part of the Quality for Washington State Foundation. The council membership consists of the Governor, who shall serve as chairperson, and the director of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, who shall serve as vice chairperson. The remaining members are appointed by the Governor from a list of nominees submitted by the Quality for Washington State Foundation. The members appointed to the council must have experience in new production technologies, methods of quality control and labor-management relations.
The council is to establish the Governor's Quality Achievement Award Program. The purpose of the award is to annually recognize organizations that improve the quality of their products and services and are examples of high performance work organizations. The council must develop and make available a list of quality improvement-related resources. It may also conduct public information, research and assistance programs.