SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6104

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Title: An act relating to state agency hours of operation.

Brief Description: Addressing state agency hours of operation.

Sponsors: Senators Prentice and Tom; by request of Office of Financial Management and Department of Personnel.

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/27/09, 3/02/09 [DP, w/oRec].

Passed Senate: 3/10/09, 44-0.Passed House: 4/08/09, 98-0.

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Tom, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Fairley, Hewitt, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, McDermott, Murray, Oemig, Pridemore, Regala, Rockefeller and Schoesler.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Brandland and Parlette.

Background: State law requires all state offices to be open for business from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with an exception for legal holidays. In addition, the state Public Records Act requires state agencies to make public records available for inspection and copying during customary office hours of at least 30 hours per week or from 9:00 a.m. until noon and from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with an exception for legal holidays.

Summary of Bill: State offices must be open at least 40 hours per week and public records must be available for inspection and copying at least 30 hours per week. Specific times of day are not specified. Exceptions are allowed for weeks that include legal holidays.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Ten state agencies are operating on modified work hours on a pilot-project basis, and this legislation is needed to allow these pilot projects to continue. This bill will provide state agencies with increased flexibility and efficiency and reduced costs. While some public records are available on the internet, many records are not; therefore, state agencies continue to maintain office hours to comply with the Public Records Act.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Julie Murray, Office of Financial Management.

House Amendment(s): Agencies and offices must post customary business hours on their websites and otherwise make their business hours known to the public.