Provides that, in addition to the entities listed in RCW 41.56.020, this act applies to employees of institutions of higher education who are exempted from civil service pursuant to RCW 41.06.070(2), with the following exceptions: (1) Executive employees, including all members of the governing board of each institution of higher education and related boards; all presidents and vice presidents; deans, directors, and chairs; and executive heads of major administrative or academic divisions;

(2) Managers who perform any of the following functions: (a) formulate, develop, or establish institutional policy, or direct the work of an administrative unit; (b) manage, administer, and control a program, including its physical, financial, or personnel resources; (c) have substantial responsibility for human resources administration, legislative relations, public information, internal audits and investigations, or the preparation and administration of budgets; (d) functionally is above the first level of supervision and exercises authority that is not merely routine or clerical in nature and requires the consistent use of independent judgment;

(3) Employees who, in the regular course of their duties, act as a principal assistant, administrative assistant, or personal assistant;

(4) Confidential employees; and

(5) Employees who assist assistant attorneys general who advise and represent managers or confidential employees in personnel or labor relations matters, or who advise or represent the state in tort actions.