Title: An act relating to electing to receive remuneration for sick leave at time of separation or dismissal.

Brief Description: Allowing eligible employees to receive remuneration for sick leave at time of separation or dismissal.

Sponsors: Senators Fraser, Kastama, Haugen, Schmidt, Pridemore, Roach, Jacobsen, Kohl-Welles, Kline and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 2/24/05, 3/1/05 [DP-WM, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Brown, Keiser and Prentice.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Parlette, Ranking Minority Member; and Honeyford.

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: At the time a state employee leaves state service because of death or retirement, that employee, or his or her estate, may elect to be paid for unused sick time at the rate of one full day's current pay for every four full days of accrued sick leave.

Summary of Bill: A state employee who leaves state service because of a reduction in force may opt to be paid for unused sick leave at the same rate as a state employee who retires.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: In the event there are lay-offs of state employees, it would be nice to allow them to cash out their accrued sick leave to provide them with additional funds upon which to live while they are seeking another job.

Testimony Against: None

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Fraser, prime sponsor; Lynn Maier, Washington Public Employees Association.