BILL REQ. #:  Z-0560.1 

Read first time 01/23/2007.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to removing the limitations on the number of divisions and assistant directors within the department of retirement systems; and amending RCW 41.50.050 and 41.50.070.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 41.50.050 and 1995 c 239 s 317 are each amended to read as follows:
     The director shall:
     (1) Have the authority to organize the department into ((not more than four)) divisions, each headed by an assistant director;
     (2) Have free access to all files and records of various funds assigned to the department and inspect and audit the files and records as deemed necessary;
     (3) Employ personnel to carry out the general administration of the department;
     (4) Submit an annual written report of the activities of the department to the governor and the chairs of the appropriate legislative committees with one copy to the staff of each of the committees, including recommendations for statutory changes the director believes to be desirable;
     (5) Adopt such rules ((and regulations)) as are necessary to carry out the powers, duties, and functions of the department pursuant to the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW.

Sec. 2   RCW 41.50.070 and 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 105 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to the exemptions set forth in RCW 41.06.070, the assistant directors((, not to exceed two,)) and an internal auditor shall also be exempt from the application of the state civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW.
     The officers and exempt personnel appointed by the director pursuant to this section shall be paid salaries fixed by the governor in accordance with the procedure established by law for fixing salaries for officers exempt from the operation of the state civil service law.
     All employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW and engaged in duties pertaining to the functions transferred by this chapter shall be assigned to the department to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing the state merit system.