AN ACT Relating to
quality awards; adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; and declaring an
emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec.
1. A new section is added
to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:
The Washington quality
award council shall be organized as a part of the private, nonprofit
corporation quality for Washington state foundation, with the assistance of the
department, in accordance with chapter 24.03 RCW and this section.
(1) The council shall
oversee the governor's Washington state quality achievement award program. The
purpose of the program is to improve the overall competitiveness of the state's
economy by stimulating Washington state industries, business, and organizations
to bring about measurable success through setting standards of organizational
excellence, encouraging organizational self-assessment, identifying successful
organizations as role models, and providing a valuable mechanism for promoting
and strengthening a commitment to continuous quality improvement in all sectors
of the state's economy. The program shall annually recognize organizations
that improve the quality of their products and services and are noteworthy
examples of high-performing work organizations.
(2) The council shall
consist of the governor and the director, as chair and vice-chair,
respectively, and recognized professionals who shall have backgrounds in or
experience with effective quality improvement techniques, employee involvement
quality of work life initiatives, and development of innovative
labor-management relations. The initial membership of the board beyond the
chair and vice-chair shall be appointed by the governor from a list of nominees
submitted by the quality for Washington state foundation. The list of nominees
shall include representatives from the governor's small business improvement
council, the Washington state efficiency commission, the Washington state
productivity board, the Washington state service quality network, the
association for quality and participation, the American society for quality
control, business and labor associations, educational institutions, elected
officials, and representatives from former recipients of international,
national, or state quality awards.
(3) The council shall
establish a board of examiners, a recognition committee, and such other
subcouncil groups as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities.
Subcouncil groups established by the council may be composed of
noncouncilmembers.
(4) The council shall
receive its administrative support and operational expenses from the quality
for Washington state foundation.
(5) The council shall,
in conjunction with the quality for Washington state foundation, compile a list
of resources available for organizations interested in productivity
improvement, quality techniques, effective methods of work organization, and
upgrading work force skills as a part of the quality for Washington state
foundation's ongoing educational programs. The council shall make the list of
resources available to the general public, including labor, business, nonprofit
and public agencies, and the department.
(6) The council, in
conjunction with the quality for Washington state foundation, may conduct such
public information, research, education, and assistance programs as it deems
appropriate to further quality improvement in organizations operating in the
state of Washington.
(7) The council shall:
(a) Approve and
announce achievement award recipients;
(b) Approve guidelines
to examine applicant organizations;
(c) Approve
appointment of judges and examiners;
(d) Arrange
appropriate annual awards and recognition for recipients, in conjunction with
the quality for Washington state foundation;
(e) Formulate
recommendations for change in the nomination form or award categories, in
cooperation with the quality for Washington state foundation; and
(f) Review related
education, training, technology transfer, and research initiatives proposed by
the quality for Washington state foundation.
(8) By January 1st of
each even-numbered year, the council shall report to the governor and the
appropriate committees of the legislature on its activities in the proceeding
two years and on any recommendations in state policies or programs that could
encourage quality improvement and the development of high-performance work
organizations.
(9) The council shall
cease to exist on July 1, 2004, unless otherwise extended by law.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
2. 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 immediately.
