HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6418

BYSenators Halsan and Sellar

Requiring a proposal for a senior development program for local government managers.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Dorn, Ferguson, Hine, Jones, Nelson, Nutley, Rayburn and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (4)

      Signed by Representatives Beck, Bumgarner, Butterfield and Nealey.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 6, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Educational programs designed to develop the skills of senior public sector managers have been established in various locations in the nation.  Examples of these programs included the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the Kennedy School of Harvard University and a program in the School of Urban and Public Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.

SUMMARY:

The director of the Department of Community Development is to develop a proposal for a senior development program to meet the needs of local government managers.  This proposal is to be developed in consultation with the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the schools of public and business management in public and private higher education institutions, and various state associations of local public officials.

The program is to include: (1) a continuing series of intensive seminars in the state: (2) consideration of accessibility to the program and the costs and potential funding for the program; and (3) techniques for securing the highest possible caliber of instructors and visiting fellows.

The department is to make a progress report on the proposal by September 15, 1988, and present its final report with legislative recommendations by December 1, 1988, to the Governmental Operations Committee of the Senate and the Local Government Committee of the House of Representatives.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Halsan, prime sponsor.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    There are only two such schools in the country and neither is on the West Coast.  This is only to develop a proposal.  We need special training for managers to be more efficient and save money.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      This is the nose under the tent.  We should not spend money on this.