Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2507

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 Summary of Bill

Eliminates the county employee safety award program and instead authorizes county boards of commissioners to recognize employees for outstanding achievements, safety performance, longevity, and public service, with rewards up to $200 in value.

Background:

Boards of county commissioners (board) may establish employee safety award programs to reward and encourage the safe performance of assigned duties of county employees.

Under a program, a board may authorize every department head and officer of county government to make the determination as to who should receive an employee safety award. Awards are distributed annually from the county general fund according to the following schedule based upon safe and accident-free performance:

5 years = $2.50
10 years = $5.00
15 years = $7.50
20 years = $10.00
25 years = $12.50
30 years = $20.00

A board may give department heads and county officers the discretion to purchase a noncash award of equal value in lieu of the cash award. If a non-cash award is given the warrants must be made payable to the business where the award is purchased. Safety awards made to persons whose safe and accident-free performance has directly benefited the county road system are paid from the county road fund by warrant.

Summary of Bill:

The county employee safety award program is eliminated and instead each board may recognize employees individually or as a class for outstanding achievements, safety performance, longevity, public service, or service. Rewards may not exceed $200 in value and may be given in cash or noncash items that includes but is not limited to pins, certificates, clocks, and calculators.

A board must establish award criteria and the methods for funding any awards program. Funding for the awards may be as a direct cost within a board's own budget or as an internal service provided to its office and department, with the costs allocated to them through an appropriate internal service fund.