5839-S

AN ACT Relating to mail functions of state government; adding new sections to chapter 43.19 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the intent of the legislature to consolidate mail functions for state government in a manner that will provide timely, effective, efficient, and less-costly mail service for state government.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.19 RCW to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this section and section 3 of this act.

(1) "Consolidated mail service" means incoming, outgoing, and internal mail processing.

(2) "Department" means the department of general administration.

(3) "Director" means the director of the department of general administration.

(4) "Agency" means:

(a) The office of the governor; and

(b) Any office, department, board, commission, or other separate unit or division, however designated, of the state government, together with all personnel thereof: Upon which the statutes confer powers and impose duties in connection with operations of either a governmental or proprietary nature; and that has as its chief executive officer a person or combination of persons such as a commission, board, or council, by law empowered to operate it, responsible either to: (i) No other public officer or (ii) the governor.

(5) "Incoming mail" means mail, packages, or similar items received by an agency, through the United States postal service, private carrier services, or other courier services.

(6) "Outgoing mail" means mail, packages, or similar items processed for agencies to be sent through the United States postal service, private carrier services, or other courier services.

(7) "Internal mail" means interagency mail, packages, or similar items that are delivered or to be delivered to a state agency, the legislature, the supreme court, or the court of appeals, and their officers and employees.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.19 RCW to read as follows:

The director shall establish a consolidated mail service to handle all incoming, outgoing, and internal mail in the 98504 zip code area or successor zip code areas for agencies in the Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey area. The director may include additional geographic areas within the consolidated mail service, based upon his or her determination. The department shall also provide mail services to legislative and judicial agencies in the Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey area upon request.

The director may bill state agencies and other entities periodically for mail services rendered.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. All employees of any state agency who are employed exclusively or principally in performing the powers, duties, or functions assigned to the department pursuant to section 3 of this act, may be transferred to the department of general administration. The office of financial management shall determine the number of employees to be transferred for efficient operation of the mail service. Upon such transfer to the department of general administration, such employees shall continue to be governed by the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, and shall retain their permanent or probationary status together with all rights, privileges, and immunities attaching thereto.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The department, in cooperation with the office of financial management, shall review current and prospective needs of state agencies for any equipment to process mail throughout state government. If after such consultation, the department should find that (1) the economy, efficiency, or effectiveness of state government and that the affected state agency would be improved by such a transfer or other disposition, and (2) the transfer or other disposition improves, at less cost, the economy, efficiency, or effectiveness of mail service, then the property shall be transferred or otherwise disposed.

After making such finding, the department shall direct the transfer of existing state property, facilities, and equipment pertaining to the consolidated mail service or United States postal service. Any dispute concerning the benefits in state governmental economy, efficiency, and effectiveness shall be resolved by the office of financial management.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1993.