FINAL BILL REPORT

EHB 1752

C 82 L 16

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Addressing the qualifications for chief examiners.

Sponsors: Representatives Hawkins and Takko.

House Committee on Local Government

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Security

Background:

Civil Service Commissions – Office of the County Sheriff.

Civil service commissions for county sheriffs' offices (commissions) establish a merit system of employment for county deputy sheriffs and other employees of county sheriffs' offices. The stated purpose of the civil service system is to raise the standards and efficiency of such offices and law enforcement in general.

A commission is created for each county or each combination of counties operating under a civil service system. Each commission is composed of three members appointed by the county legislative authority; however, the county or combined counties may increase the number from three to five members.

Commission members must be United States citizens, residents of the county for at least two years immediately preceding appointment to the commission, and registered voters of the county. Members are not paid, and they are prohibited from holding any salaried public office or engaging in county employment apart from their commission duties.

Commissions have numerous duties and powers. For example, they:

• adopt rules and regulations, including those regulating the manner of examination, appointment, promotion, suspension, and discharge of employees and deputies of the sheriff's office;

• administer practical tests to determine a person's capacity to perform duties of a position, including physical fitness and manual skills tests; and

• conduct hearings and investigations in accordance with statute and rules adopted by the commission.

Chief Examiners.

Commissions are charged with appointing a chief examiner, who must also serve as secretary of the commission. The commission has supervisory responsibility over the chief examiner. The chief examiner keeps the records for the commission, preserves all reports made to the commission, and keeps a record of all examinations. The commission may prescribe additional duties of the chief examiner.

The chief examiner must be appointed to the position as a result of a competitive examination open to all properly qualified citizens of the county. The appointee is prohibited from being an employee of the sheriff's office.

Summary:

Requirements for chief examiners of civil service commissions of county sheriffs' offices are modified to allow residents of the county or of an adjacent county to serve as chief examiner.

Votes on Final Passage:

2015 Regular Session

2016 Regular Session