BILL REQ. #:  S-1977.3 

READ FIRST TIME 03/05/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to a hiring freeze within state government; creating a new section; providing an effective date; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1)(a) Except under subsection (2) of this section, the number of employees employed by cabinet-level agencies of the executive branch of state government may not exceed the actual employment level of the agency on March 1, 2003, for all employee positions paid for in full or in part with funds from the state general fund. This section does not apply to executive branch agencies managed by statewide elected officials.
     (b) "Cabinet-level agency" as used in this section, refers to those agencies listed on the Washington state government organization chart posted on the internet by the office of financial management, where these agencies are listed under the category headings: Environment and natural resources, general government, transportation, health and human services, education, and community and economic development.
     (c) Except under subsection (2) of this section, beginning March 1, 2003, each cabinet-level agency is prohibited from hiring replacements for employees who leave the agency regardless of the reason an employee left. This prohibition attaches to all employee positions paid for in full or in part with funds from the state general fund.
     (d) This section does not apply to internal reallocations of staff, contracting of services, or contracting work out. Agencies may fill newly vacated positions with existing staff.
     (2) The only exceptions to subsection (1) of this section are as follows:
     (a) Positions in state agencies with less than twenty full-time equivalents;
     (b) Service positions within correctional facilities and state hospitals that are necessary to maintain full security or service levels;
     (c) The following agencies or portions of agencies: (i) Department of revenue, (ii) state school for the blind, (iii) state school for the deaf, (iv) military department, (v) faculty at the state's institutions of higher education (program 010 in LEAP), and (vi) nonprogram support positions (program 110 and category 9000 in LEAP) in the department of social and health services that provide direct service operations in the divisions of children's administration, juvenile rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, long-term care, alcohol and substance abuse, medical assistance, and vocational rehabilitation; and
     (d) Temporary employee positions including, but not limited to, seasonal fish and wildlife biologist and technician positions in the department of fish and wildlife and seasonal employee positions in the state parks and recreation commission.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act expires June 30, 2005.

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 March 1, 2003.