HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6327

BYSenators McCaslin, Sutherland, Saling and Thorsness; by request of Washington State Patrol

Exempting certain state patrol from the civil service.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Todd, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; R. Fisher, Hankins, R. King, Morris and O'Brien.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 27, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, the director's confidential secretary is exempt from the provisions of the civil service system in all state agencies whose directors are appointed by the governor.  The law also exempts the confidential secretaries of deputy directors or division directors in some agencies, such as the Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Transportation.

The highest classification in the civil service system for secretaries is Secretary II.  These persons typically provide clerical support, perform certain delegated administrative duties, and perform many office management functions.  The next level of advancement from Secretary II is generally to the Administrative Assistant class series, where clerical duties are limited.

The Washington State Patrol is organized into three bureaus, headed by a bureau chief or agency deputy director, and also has one agency chief of staff in addition to the chief of the patrol.  The confidential secretary for the chief of the patrol is exempt from the civil service system.

SUMMARY:

In the Washington State Patrol, the provisions of state civil service law do not apply to confidential secretaries of agency bureau chiefs, or their functional equivalent, nor to a confidential secretary for the chief of staff.  Each confidential secretary must meet the minimum qualifications for the job class of Secretary II.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Tim Erickson, Washington State Patrol.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The bill allows the State Patrol to have four additional exempt secretaries.  These secretaries' duties have evolved into more confidential areas.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.