Z-0487.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1494

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Miloscia, Kenney, Veloria, Romero, Barlean, Ogden and Wolfe; by request of Department of General Administration

Read first time 01/27/1999.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

Clarifying the duties of the director of general administration.

    AN ACT Relating to the powers of the director of general administration; amending RCW 43.19.010; adding a new section to chapter 43.19 RCW; and repealing RCW 43.19.013.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 43.19.010 and 1993 c 472 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:

    ((The department of general administration shall be organized into divisions, which shall include (1) the division of capitol buildings, (2) the division of purchasing, (3) the division of engineering and architecture, and (4) the division of motor vehicle transportation service.))

    The director of general administration shall ((have charge and general supervision)) be the executive head of the department of general administration.  ((He or she may appoint and deputize such clerical and other assistants as may be necessary for the general administration of the department.))  The director shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.  The director ((of general administration)) shall receive a salary in an amount fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040.

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

    (1) The director of general administration shall supervise and administer the activities of the department of general administration and shall advise the governor and the legislature with respect to matters under the jurisdiction of the department.

    (2) In addition to other powers and duties granted to the director, the director shall have the following powers and duties:

    (a) Enter into contracts on behalf of the state to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

    (b) Accept and expend gifts and grants, whether such grants be of federal or other funds;

    (c) Appoint a deputy director and such assistant directors and special assistants as may be needed to administer the department.  These employees are exempt from the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW;

    (d) Adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW and perform all other functions necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

    (e) Delegate powers, duties, and functions as the director deems necessary for efficient administration, but the director shall be responsible for the official acts of the officers and employees of the department; and

    (f) Perform other duties as are necessary and consistent with law.

    (3) The director may establish additional advisory groups as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

    (4) The internal affairs of the department shall be under the control of the director in order that the director may manage the department in a flexible and intelligent manner as dictated by changing contemporary circumstances.  Unless specifically limited by law, the director shall have complete charge and supervisory powers over the department.  The director may create such administrative structures as the director deems appropriate, except as otherwise specified by law, and the director may employ such personnel as may be necessary in accordance with chapter 41.06 RCW, except as otherwise provided by law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  RCW 43.19.013 and 1967 c 27 s 1 are each repealed.

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