Read first time 01/25/12.   Referred to Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs.

     AN ACT Relating to the consolidation of legislative support functions into an office of legislative support services; amending RCW 44.04.260 and 43.88.230; adding a new chapter to Title 44 RCW; and providing an effective date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that state government should be operated in an efficient and effective manner. It is the intent of the legislature to create the office of legislative support services to make effective and efficient use of the public's resources, improve the delivery and quality of services, standardize practices, and achieve cost savings.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Director" means the director of the office of legislative support services employed under section 4 of this act.
     (2) "Legislative agencies" means: The joint legislative audit and review committee, the joint transportation committee, the office of the state actuary, the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee, the office of legislative support services, the joint legislative systems committee, and the statute law committee.
     (3) "Office" means the office of legislative support services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The office of legislative support services is created to provide administrative and support services to the senate, house of representatives, and legislative agencies. All operations of the office are subject to RCW 44.04.260.
     (2) The office shall provide support to the senate, the house of representatives, and legislative agencies for facilities operations, asset management, production services, audio-visual needs, the distribution of information about the legislature and the legislative process to the public, and other administrative or support services of the senate, the house of representatives, and legislative agencies authorized by the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives, in consultation with the senate facilities and operations committee and the house executive rules committee, shall employ a director of the office. The director serves at the pleasure of the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives, who shall fix the director's salary.
     (2)(a) The director serves as the executive and administrative head of the office.
     (b) In accordance with an adopted personnel plan, the director shall employ and fix the compensation for personnel required to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
     (c) The director may enter into contracts for: (i) The sale, exchange, or acquisition of equipment, supplies, services, and facilities required to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and (ii) the distribution of legislative information.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Subject to RCW 44.04.260, all expenses incurred, including salaries and expenses of employees, shall be paid upon voucher forms as provided and signed by the director. Vouchers may be drawn on funds appropriated by law for the office. The senate and house of representatives may transfer moneys appropriated for legislative expenses to the office.

Sec. 6   RCW 44.04.260 and 2005 c 319 s 112 are each amended to read as follows:
     The joint legislative audit and review committee, the joint transportation committee, the select committee on pension policy, the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee, the office of legislative support services, and the joint legislative systems committee are subject to such operational policies, procedures, and oversight as are deemed necessary by the facilities and operations committee of the senate and the executive rules committee of the house of representatives to ensure operational adequacy of the agencies of the legislative branch. As used in this section, "operational policies, procedures, and oversight" includes the development process of biennial budgets, contracting procedures, personnel policies, and compensation plans, selection of a chief administrator, facilities, and expenditures. This section does not grant oversight authority to the facilities and operations committee of the senate over any standing committee of the house of representatives or oversight authority to the executive rules committee of the house of representatives over any standing committee of the senate.

Sec. 7   RCW 43.88.230 and 2005 c 319 s 109 are each amended to read as follows:
     For the purposes of this chapter, the statute law committee, the joint legislative audit and review committee, the joint transportation committee, the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee, the office of legislative support services, the office of state actuary, and all legislative standing committees of both houses shall be deemed a part of the legislative branch of state government.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   This act takes effect July 1, 2012.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   Sections 1 through 5 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 44 RCW.