HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6289

BYSenate Committee on Agriculture (originally sponsored by Senator Barr; by request of Department of Agriculture)

Providing the director of agriculture with organizational flexibility.

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Rayburn, Chair; Kremen, Vice Chair; Nealey, Ranking Republican Member; Baugher, Chandler, Doty, Grant, Jesernig, Kirby, McLean, Rasmussen and Youngsman.

House Staff:Kenneth Hirst (786-7105)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 28, 1990

BACKGROUND:

State law permits the director of Agriculture to appoint a deputy director and as many as six assistant directors for the administration of the divisions of the Department of Agriculture. The state's Civil Service Law does not apply to the position of the director, the director's confidential secretary, or the deputy or assistant directors.

SUMMARY:

The authority of the director of Agriculture to appoint assistant directors is expanded.  The director may now appoint up to eight (rather than six) assistant directors.  The state's Civil Service Law does not apply to the positions of these additional assistant directors.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 13, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Mike Schwisow, Department of Agriculture.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    In 1988, the Department reviewed its organization to determine whether a restructuring would improve service.  The results of that review and the department's expanded pesticide control program suggested the department's current eight divisions.  Two of these divisions are currently headed by classified personnel.  The bill will permit each to be headed by exempt personnel.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.