SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5994

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                  Ways & Means, March 3, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the state employee attendance incentive program.

Brief Description:  Restricting the state employee attendance incentive program.

Sponsors:  Senators West, Moyer, Deccio, Hochstatter, Oke, Finkbeiner, Palmer, Winsley, Johnson, Schow, Hale and Strannigan.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  3/1/95, 3/3/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5994 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chair; Cantu, Finkbeiner, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Johnson, Long, McDonald, Roach, Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Strannigan, Sutherland, West, Winsley and Wojahn.

Staff:  Denise Graham (786-7454)

Background:  The state employee attendance incentive program was enacted in 1979 to allow state employees to receive remuneration for accumulated unused sick leave.  At the conclusion of each calendar year in which the employee has accumulated in excess of 60 days of sick leave, the employee may elect to receive one day of compensation for each four days of excess sick leave.  At the time of separation from state employment due to death or retirement, all sick leave is compensated at the same four-to-one ratio.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Participation in the state employee attendance incentive program is restricted to employees paid an annual salary that is less than the salary paid to classified employees at step K, range 55 in the state salary schedule.  Currently, the annual salary at step K, range 55 is $45,096.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:   Different groups of employees are allowed to participate in the state employee incentive program in the two versions of the bill. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 22, 1995.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on September 1, 1995.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.