FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1100

C 19 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Modifying notice requirements.

Sponsors:  Representatives Fisher and Woods; by request of Marine Employees' Commission.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

The Marine Employees= Commission (MEC) was established in 1983 to oversee labor and management relations for the Washington State Ferry (WSF) system.  The purpose of the MEC is to:

$Assist in resolving labor disputes by adjudicating all complaints, grievances, and disputes between labor and management arising from ferry operations; and investigating charges of unfair labor practices; and

$assist in the collective bargaining process by determining bargaining units; conducting fact-finding studies and salary surveys; certifying fair representation organizations; and determining whether labor agreements exceed statutory limitations and order reductions accordingly.

In the course of discharging these duties, the MEC issues several types of official communications.  These include hearing notices, decisions, dismissals, and settlement conferences.  Any notice the MEC serves must be mailed by restricted certified mail.  This requirement also applies to the different parties the MEC works with.

Because of the strict delivery demands of restricted certified mail, serving notices by restricted certified mail can cause delays under some circumstances.

Summary:

The requirement for service of notices under the Marine employees= employment relatives law to be mailed by restricted certified mail is eliminated.  Any party to an MEC proceeding is given the option to serve notices by certified mail or by fax with transaction report verification and same-day United States Postal Service mailing of copies.

Votes on Final Passage:

House940

Senate471

Effective:  July 22, 2001