HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2689

BYRepresentatives Vekich, Cole and Prentice

Requiring registration or licensure of labor relations consultants.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Smith, Ranking Republican Member; Forner, Jones, R. King, Leonard, O'Brien, Prentice, Walker and Wolfe.

House Staff:Jim Kelley (786-7166)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Employers and labor organizations may hire law firms, trade associations, and other outside parties to advise or represent the employer or labor organization in labor matters.  Under the federal Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, consultants must disclose arrangements with private sector employers and report payments.  The federal act does not apply to public sector labor relations.

SUMMARY:

The profession of labor relations consulting is regulated. Consultants are persons advising or representing state and local government employers or labor organizations concerning employee organizing, concerted activities or collective bargaining. Consultants do not include employees of the employer or employees working for an international union.

REGISTRATION AND REPORTING.  A labor relations consultant must register with the Department of Licensing by providing the department with his or her name and address.  Within 30 days of entering an arrangement with a public employer or a labor organization, a consultant must file with the department a detailed statement of the arrangement.  A consultant must also file annual reports stating his or her receipts in connection with consulting services. Information filed is subject to public disclosure.

AUTHORITY OF DIRECTOR.  The director of the Department of Licensing may adopt rules, establish registration fees, establish forms and procedures, and hire staff as is necessary.  The director may register applicants and deny or revoke the registration of applicants and registrants.  The director has authority to maintain the official record of all applicants and to establish the procedure for renewal.  The director is also given the authority to enforce the registration requirements.

PENALTIES.  Persons violating the provisions are subject to civil penalties up to $10,000.

LABOR RELATIONS CONSULTING FUND.  Receipts from all fees and penalties shall be deposited in a fund, used by the director to administer this chapter.  No appropriation is required to permit expenditures from the fund.

OTHER.  Regulation of labor relations consultants must be supported in full by fees.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 6, 1990.

Effective Date:The act takes effect September 1, 1990, except that the department may immediately take steps to ensure that the act is implemented on its effective date.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Sam Kinville, Washington State Council of County and City Employees.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Public sector labor relations consultants do not have to register under federal law.  The public has a right to know who is engaging in this profession.  The bill applies equally to unions and public employers.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.