SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5422

As of February 2, 2001

Title:  An act relating to consolidating the department of retirement systems and the department of personnel.

Brief Description:  Consolidating personnel management functions.

Sponsors:  Senators Patterson, Franklin and Kline; by request of Governor Locke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/7/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Staff:  Aaron Jennings (786‑7445)

Background:  The personnel, compensation, and retirement functions of state government are divided between the Department of Personnel and the Department of Retirement Systems.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Personnel and the Department of Retirement Systems are combined into the Department of Human Resources.  All personnel and property of the previous two departments are transferred to the Department of Human Resources.  The Department of Human Resources has all the powers and duties of the two departments.

The director of the Department of Human Resources is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.  The director has the power to administer the department, appoint personnel, enter into contracts, adopt rules, and delegate powers as appropriate.

The director of the Department of Personnel and the director of the Department of Retirement Systems must submit a consolidation plan to the Governor by December 1, 2001.  The actual consolidation of the two departments does not take place until July 1, 2002.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Sections 1 through 17 of the bill take effect July 1, 2002.  Sections 18 through 21 take effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.