SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 902

BYHouse Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Haugen, Ferguson and Hine)

Exempting city and town fire and police chiefs from civil service provisions.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):April 1, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass as amended.

     Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; Garrett, Vice Chairman, DeJarnatt, McCaslin, Talmadge, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754); Eugene Green (786-7405)

                April 2, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, APRIL 1, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Every city, town, and municipality except for fire protection districts, that has a "full paid fire department" must create a civil service commission and employ the fire fighters under a civil service system.  A "full paid fire department" means fire fighters who are regularly paid for fire fighting.  All full paid employees of the fire department, including the chief, are subject to the civil service system.

Every city, town, and municipality that has a "full paid police department" consisting of more than two persons must create a civil service commission and employ the police officers under a civil service system.  A "full paid police department" means police officers who are regularly paid for, and devote their whole time to, police duty.  All full paid police officers of the police department who are regularly paid by the city, town, or municipality, including the chief, are subject to the civil service system.

SUMMARY:

Fire chiefs and police chiefs appointed after July 1, 1987 may be excluded by the legislative body of the city, town or municipality from civil service employment.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Police chiefs appointed after July 1, 1987, to a department with six or more commissioned officers, including the police chief, may be excluded from civil service by the legislative body of the city, town or municipality.  However, police chiefs appointed prior to July 1, 1987 in a city with a population in excess of 40,000 may also be excluded from civil service.  The provision pertaining to fire chief is not altered.

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   Ron Pease, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; Bob Kane, Stanwood Police Department; John Klein, Tenino Police Department; Jim Palmer, Brier Police Department; Kathleen Collins, Bob Roegner, Paul Gratlet, Association of Washington Cities