SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1752
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. |
As of March 20, 2015
Title: An act relating to qualifications for chief examiners.
Brief Description: Addressing the qualifications for chief examiners.
Sponsors: Representatives Hawkins and Takko.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/03/15, 92-5.
Committee Activity: Government Operations & Security: 3/12/15.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & SECURITY |
Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)
Background: The civil service commissions (Commissions) for sheriffs' offices are established to, in part, adopt rules and regulations governing personnel administration in sheriffs' offices. Commissions consists of a three or five-person commission appointed by the board of county commissioners for the county within which the sheriffs' office is located. Commissioners serve six-year terms without compensation.
In addition to making personnel rules and regulations, the Commissions are also charged with other powers and duties, including the following:
holding regular meetings at least once each month;
giving competitive tests to determine the qualifications of a person who seeks employment under the Commissions' jurisdiction;
giving practical tests to determine the capacity of persons to perform duties of a position that is to be filled;
conducting hearings and investigations, and making reports concerning specific personnel requirements, rules, and regulations; and
hearing and determining appeals or complaints regarding the allocation of positions.
Commissions must appoint, through a competitive examination process, a chief examiner to serve as a secretary of the Commission. The appointee is prohibited from being an employee of the sheriff's office. The Commission has supervisory responsibility over the chief examiner. The chief examiner must:
keep records for and preserve reports made to the Commission;
keep records of examinations held under the Commission's direction; and
perform other duties directed by the Commission.
Summary of Bill: The requirement that the chief examiner be a resident of the county within which the sheriffs' office is located is eliminated.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: A chief examiner is a staff-level county position, typically in the human resources division. Currently, the statute from the 1950s has very strict residency requirements for these little-known chief examiner positions. The statutes require that the chief examiner live in the county where the sheriff's office is located. This residency requirement is presenting a potential issue for some counties, including Chelan County. It does not appear there is a reason for the strict residency requirement. This bill will help Chelan County and other counties by removing the residency requirement related to chief examiners, a human resources staff-level position. This bill modernizes an old statute to provide flexibility for counties and allows counties to hire the most qualified candidate to do the job.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Hawkins, prime sponsor; Cathy Mulhall, Chelan County; Brad Banks, WA Assn. of Counties.
Persons Signed in to Testify But Not Testifying: No one.