FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6372

C 61 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Creating the combined fund drive account.

Sponsors:  Senators Fraser and Winsley; by request of Department of Personnel.

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on State Government

Background:  Currently state employees and retirees have the option of making charitable donations through an annual combined fund drive.

The Combined Fund Drive Committee, appointed by the Governor, sets policy and oversees the annual charitable campaign.  Staff within the Department of Personnel handle associated administrative duties.

Concerns have been expressed that the Department of Personnel does not have explicit rule-making authority for the purposes of operating the fund drive, and that the funds collected for the drive should be deposited within an account in the state treasury until they are disbursed.

Summary:  The statute referring to the "united fund" is updated to refer to the "Washington state combined fund drive."

The director of the Department of Personnel is authorized to adopt rules for the fund drive, after consultation with agencies, institutions, and employee organizations.

Collected contributions are deposited in a new account within the state treasury.  The combined fund drive account retains its own interest, and may only be expended by authorization from the director of the Department of Personnel for the beneficiaries of the fund drive.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate440

House930

Effective:  June 13, 2002