SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5839

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 10, 1993

Brief Description:  Providing consolidated mail service for state agencies.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Cantu, Drew, Haugen and Winsley)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5839 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, Oke, Owen, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates: March 2, 1993; March 3, 1993

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

BACKGROUND:

In 1990, the Department of General Administration (GA) requested an Efficiency Commission study of the state's mail service.  Based on the study's recommendations and authorization in a budget proviso, GA restructured the mail system to include:  processing and delivering all mail to state agencies in Thurston County; picking up and processing outgoing mail, and providing similar services for mail between agencies from Vancouver to Everett.

It has been suggested that the consolidated mail service be codified as statute law.

SUMMARY:

Legislative intent is expressed to consolidate state mail functions to provide timely, effective, and less costly mail service.  Agencies are defined to cover all offices, departments, boards and commissions of the state and their employees.

The director of General Administration establishes a consolidated mail service for all incoming, outgoing, and internal mail in the 98504 zip code or successive zip code areas for agencies in the Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey areas.  Agencies in other geographic areas may be added to the service at the director's determination.  GA also provides mail service to the legislative and judicial branches on their request.  Personnel and equipment involved in mail service may be transferred to the Department of General Administration if it is deemed suitable.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 24, 1993

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 1993.

TESTIMONY FOR:

This suggestion originally came up ten years ago, and probably would have been acted on sooner if the function were more visible.  It makes state mail processing more timely, efficient, and adaptable to the new technology of bar coding.  We have already demonstrated significant savings in time and money.  The state can expect to realize even greater improvements and savings as other agencies are brought into the service, and additional mail functions are incorporated.  Another major factor is the enhanced ability to use bulk mail rate discounts.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Senator Cantu, prime sponsor; John Franklin, Director, GA; Kathy McComb, CMS, GA; Michael A. Loe, U.S. Postal Service; Gary Moore, WFSE; Bill Richeson, WSDOT (pro with amendments)

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

A provision was deleted requiring General Administration to find that transfer of mailing equipment would benefit individual agencies, leaving the requirement that state government as a whole be benefitted, before a transfer may take place.