SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5489

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, March 5, 2001

Title:  An act relating to certain personnel in the department of veterans affairs.

Brief Description:  Exempting certain veterans affairs personnel from the state civil service law.

Sponsors:  Senators B. Sheldon, Swecker, T. Sheldon, Rasmussen, Winsley and Oke; by request of Department of Veterans Affairs.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/7/01, 3/5/01 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5489 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Background:  The Department of Veterans Affairs is allowed the following specific exemptions from state civil service law:  the director, deputy director, and no more than two assistants.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The following additional exemptions to state civil service law apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs:  a confidential secretary for the deputy director and each assistant director.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Off-campus exempt secretaries are eliminated from the bill.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  We feel that the deputy director and assistant directors should be allowed exempt secretaries.

Testimony Against:  Concerns about off-campus exempt secretaries were raised about the original bill.

Testified:  John Lee, WA Dept. of Veterans Affairs (pro).