HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2514

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.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Government Operations & Elections: 1/28/14, 1/31/14 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Eliminates statutory references to the Human Resources Director and transfers nearly all of its authority and functions to the Director of the Office of Financial Management, or the Office of Financial Management Director's designee.
Transfers the Human Resource Director's authority to adopt procedures for implementation of certain medical expense reimbursement benefit plans to the State Health Care Authority.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives S. Hunt, Chair; Bergquist, Vice Chair; Taylor, Ranking Minority Member; Young, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle, Christian, Manweller, Orwall, Robinson and Van De Wege.

Background:

The state Legislature reorganized central service agencies in 2011, eliminating the Department of Personnel, dividing its powers and duties between the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and the Department of Enterprise Services, and creating the Human Resources Director in the OFM. The Human Resources Director has several administrative functions, including assisting in setting state employee compensation, salaries, and benefits. The Human Resources Director is classified as an "executive state officer" for purposes of the requirement to file certain campaign disclosure and contribution statements.

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Summary of Bill:

The Human Resources Director position in the OFM is eliminated, and its authority and functions are primarily transferred to the Director of the OFM or the OFM Director's designee. The authority to adopt procedures for implementation of medical expense reimbursement benefit plans for state civil service employees is transferred to the director of the State Health Care Authority.

Several obsolete references to the Director of Personnel are eliminated, with functions transferred to the OFM. One obsolete reference to the Director of Personnel instead is replaced by a reference to the Public Employment Relations Commission: certain medical expense reimbursement benefit plan procedures applicable to classified employees in a bargaining unit will apply to a bargaining unit established by the Public Employment Relations Commission, instead of to a bargaining unit established by the Director of Personnel.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) It is always good to sponsor a bill that eliminates a government position. This bill is request legislation from the OFM and it is important. Currently, the Governor has appointed the Director of the OFM as the Human Resources Director, and the OFM Director has designated someone to head the Office of Human Resources. In effect, this bill is a technical clean-up to reflect current practices.

(Opposed) None.