HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1521
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 Reported by House Committee On:
State Government, Elections & Information Technology
Title: An act relating to removing the requirement that an employee must work at least six months before taking vacation leave.
Brief Description: Removing the requirement that an employee must work at least six months before taking vacation leave.
Sponsors: Representatives Dolan, Doglio, Ormsby, Appleton, Bergquist and Pollet; by request of Office of Financial Management.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government, Elections & Information Technology: 2/7/17, 2/8/17 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Hudgins, Chair; Dolan, Vice Chair; Koster, Ranking Minority Member; Volz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Gregerson, Irwin, Kraft and Pellicciotti.
Staff: Megan Palchak (786-7105).
Background:
After six months of continuous employment, state employees are entitled to take not less than one working day of paid vacation leave each month. They are also entitled to not less than one additional working day of paid vacation leave each year for completing the first two, three, and five continuous years of employment.
State employees may accrue up to 30 working days of unused vacation leave. Unused vacation leave may exceed 30 working days in two circumstances. One circumstance arises when an employer defers a request for leave. The other arises when excess days are accumulated before the employee's anniversary date.
State employees whose employment is terminated by death, reduction in force, resignation, dismissal, or retirement, and who have accrued vacation leave, are paid for such leave.
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
Six months of continuous employment is not required for state employees to be entitled to take vacation leave. However, six months of continuous employment is required for state employees whose employment is terminated to be paid for accrued leave.
Vacation leave is measured in hours rather than working days. For example, references to "one working day" of leave are replaced with "eight hours" of vacation leave. Similarly, references to "thirty days" of vacation leave are replaced with "240 hours" of vacation leave.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill specifies state employees terminating employment may be paid for accrued vacation leave only if they were employed for six continuous months.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2017.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Amended language is needed regarding leave upon termination to resolve fiscal impact.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Dolan, prime sponsor; Scott Merriman, Office of Financial Management; and Dennis Eagle, Washington Association of State Employees.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.