AN
ACT Relating to quality awards; amending RCW 43.330.140; adding new sections to
chapter 43.07 RCW; and recodifying RCW 43.330.140.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec.
1. RCW
43.330.140 and 1994 c 306 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)
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, with limited staff assistance by the secretary of
state as provided by section 2 of this act.
(((1)))
(2) 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)))
(3) The council shall consist of the governor and the ((director))
secretary of state, or their designees, as chair and vice-chair,
respectively, ((and)) the director of the department of community,
trade, and economic development, or his or her designee, and twenty-seven
members appointed by the governor. Those twenty-seven council members must be
selected from 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, and other recognized leaders in state and local
government and private business. 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)) for terms of three years.
(((3)))
(4) 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 any related education, training, technology transfer, and
research initiatives proposed ((by the quality for Washington state
foundation)) to it, and that it determines merits such a review.
(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)) 1999, unless
otherwise extended by law.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 2. A
new section is added to chapter 43.07 RCW to read as follows:
(1)
The secretary of state shall provide administrative assistance and support to
the Washington quality award council only to the extent that the legislature
appropriates funds specifically designated for this purpose. The secretary of
state has no duty to provide assistance or support except to the extent
specifically provided by appropriation.
(2)
The Washington quality award council may develop private sources of funding,
including the establishment of a private foundation. Except as provided in
subsection (1) of this section, the council shall receive all administrative
support and expenses through private sources of funding and arrangements with a
private foundation. Public funds shall not be used to purchase awards, be
distributed as awards, or be utilized for any expenses of the board of
examiners, recognition committee, and such other subcouncil groups as the
council may establish. Public funds shall not be used to pay overtime or
travel expenses of secretary of state staff, for purposes related to the
council, unless funded by specific appropriation.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 3. RCW
43.330.140 is recodified as a section in chapter 43.07 RCW.
