S-0626.1  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 5056

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

 

By Senators T. Sheldon, West, Stevens, Finkbeiner, Zarelli, Oke and Rossi

 

Read first time 01/10/2001.  Referred to Committee on State & Local Government.

Freezing state employment.


    AN ACT Relating to a state employment freeze; creating a new section; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  (1) From the effective date of this act until the conclusion of the fiscal biennium ending June 30, 2003, state agencies of the executive branch shall not establish new staff positions or fill vacant existing staff positions.

    (2) Exceptions to subsection (1) of this section may be granted only by the governor and only for critical or emergent situations that threaten public health or safety, as determined by the governor.  The governor shall notify the legislative fiscal committees within ten days of the granting of any exception under this subsection.

    (3) It is the intent of the legislature that agencies of the legislative and judicial branches of state government shall also observe the employment freeze established by this section, subject to such procedures as may be provided by the legislative and judicial branches, respectively.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  This act expires July 1, 2003.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

 


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