SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5077

As Passed Senate, March 6, 2001

Title:  An act relating to the provisional employment of sheriff's employees.

Brief Description:  Modifying the provisional employment of sheriff's employees.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on State & Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and Rasmussen).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/25/01, 2/5/01 [DPS].

Passed Senate:  3/6/01, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5077 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn, Kline, McCaslin, T. Sheldon and Swecker.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786‑7410)

Background:  The civil service commission for county deputy sheriffs and other employees of the office of county sheriffs is comprised of three members appointed by the board of county commissioners.  When a vacancy occurs, the commission must certify three persons highest on the list of persons eligible for that job class.  If there is no list, then the commission must authorize a temporary appointment list for the class.  Any temporary appointment can last no more than four months and any one person may receive only one temporary appointment in one fiscal year.  The eligible list for some job classes can remain empty beyond four months despite the commission's best efforts to recruit qualified applicants.

Summary of Bill:  If the commission certifies that it continues to use due diligence in advertising and testing for the position, the authority that made the temporary appointment may extend it beyond its four-month expiration.  If no list of three prospective candidates for the position can be assembled by one year after the initial temporary appointment was made, then the position may be filled from a list of less than three prospective candidates.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There is a problem filling the small unique positions in the sheriff's department.  A one‑year limitation on the temporary appointment is reasonable.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Dr. J.K. Johnston, Marie Taylor, Island County Civil Service Commission; Steven Tomson, WASPC, Whitman County Sheriff.

House Amendment(s):  The House amendment is clarifying and does not change the intent of the Senate bill.