Title: An act relating to negotiating state patrol officer wages and wage-related matters.

Brief Description: Negotiating state patrol officer wages and wage-related matters.

Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Murray, Woods, Conway, O'Brien, Ericks, Condotta, Wood, Simpson, Campbell, P. Sullivan, Lovick, Williams, Chase, Hinkle and Ormsby).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation:

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Dalene Sprick (786-7321)

Background: Current law allows for the Washington State Patrol to bargain on wage related matters. However, current law prohibits the Washington State Patrol from negotiating rates of pay and wage levels.

Summary of Bill: The Washington State Patrol may negotiate in matters of pay and wage level. For purposes of negotiating wages, wage-related matters, and nonwage matters, the state must be represented by the Governor, or the Governor's appointee, and the costs of negotiation must be reimbursed.

The Governor, or the Governor's appointee, must periodically consult with a subcommittee of the Joint Committee on Employment Relations. The committee must be consulted regarding appropriations necessary to implement the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement and advised on the elements of the provisions.

Provisions that are entered into before the Legislature approves the funds necessary to implement the provisions must be conditioned upon the approval of such funds.

The decision of an arbitration panel is not binding on the Legislature and, if the Legislature does not approve funds necessary to implement the provisions pertaining to wages and wage-related matters, the Washington State Patrol is also not bound.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2005.