AN ACT Relating to extending protection of the Whistleblower Act to local government employees; and amending RCW 42.40.010, 42.40.020, 42.40.040, and 42.40.070.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 1, chapter 208, Laws of 1982 and RCW 42.40.010 are each amended to read as follows:

It is the policy of the legislature that all public employees should be encouraged to disclose, to the extent not expressly prohibited by law, improper governmental actions, and it is the intent of the legislature to protect the rights of state and local government employees making these disclosures.

Sec. 2. Section 2, chapter 208, Laws of 1982 as amended by section 1, chapter 284, Laws of 1989 and RCW 42.40.020 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in this chapter, the terms defined in this section shall have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Auditor" means the office of the state auditor.

(2) "Employee" means any individual employed or holding office in any department or agency of state government or any municipal corporation.

(3) (a) "Improper governmental action" means any action by an employee:

(i) Which is undertaken in the performance of the employee's official duties, whether or not the action is within the scope of the employee's employment; and

(ii) Which is in violation of any state law or rule, is an abuse of authority, is of substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety, or is a gross waste of public funds.

(b) "Improper governmental action" does not include personnel actions including but not limited to employee grievances, complaints, appointments, promotions, transfers, assignments, reassignments, reinstatements, restorations, reemployments, performance evaluations, reductions in pay, dismissals, suspensions, demotions, violations of the state civil service law, alleged labor agreement violations, reprimands, or any action which may be taken under chapter 41.06 or 28B.16 RCW, or other disciplinary action except as provided in RCW 42.40.030.

(4) "Municipal corporation" means any county, city, town, or special purpose district.

(5) "Use of official authority or influence" includes taking, directing others to take, recommending, processing, or approving any personnel action such as an appointment, promotion, transfer, assignment, reassignment, reinstatement, restoration, reemployment, performance evaluation, or any adverse action under chapter 41.06 or 28B.16 RCW, or other disciplinary action.

Sec. 3. Section 4, chapter 208, Laws of 1982 as amended by section 3, chapter 284, Laws of 1989 and RCW 42.40.040 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Upon receiving specific information that an employee has engaged in improper governmental action, the auditor shall, for a period not to exceed thirty days, conduct such preliminary investigation of the matter as the auditor deems appropriate. In conducting the investigation, the identity of the person providing the information which initiated the investigation shall be kept confidential.

(2) In addition to the authority under subsection (1) of this section, the auditor may, on its own initiative, investigate incidents of improper ((~~state~~)) governmental action.

(3) (a) If it appears to the auditor, upon completion of the preliminary investigation, that the matter is so unsubstantiated that no further investigation, prosecution, or administrative action is warranted, the auditor shall so notify the person, if known, who provided the information initiating the investigation.

(b) The notification shall be by memorandum containing a summary of the information received, a summary of the results of the preliminary investigation with regard to each allegation of improper governmental action, and any determination made by the auditor under (c) of this subsection.

(c) In any case to which this section applies, the identity of the person who provided the information initiating the investigation shall be kept confidential unless the auditor determines that the information has been provided other than in good faith.

(d) If it appears to the auditor that the matter does not meet the definition of an "improper governmental action" under RCW 42.40.020(3), or is other than a gross waste of public funds, the auditor may forward a summary of the allegations to the appropriate agency or municipal corporation for investigation and require a response by memorandum containing a summary of the investigation with regard to each allegation and any determination of corrective action taken. The auditor will keep the identity of the person who provided the information initiating the investigation confidential. Upon receipt of the results of the investigation from the appropriate agency or municipal corporation, the auditor will notify the provider as prescribed under (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection.

(4) If it appears to the auditor after completion of the preliminary investigation that further investigation, prosecution, or administrative action is warranted, the auditor shall so notify the party, if known, who provided the information initiating the investigation and either conduct further investigations or issue a report under subsection (6) of this section.

(5) (a) At any stage of an investigation under this section the auditor may require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary or other evidence relating to the investigation at any designated place in the state. The auditor may issue subpoenas, administer oaths, examine witnesses, and receive evidence. In the case of contumacy or failure to obey a subpoena, the superior court for the county in which the person to whom the subpoena is addressed resides or is served may issue an order requiring the person to appear at any designated place to testify or to produce documentary or other evidence. Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.

(b) The auditor may order the taking of depositions at any stage of a proceeding or investigation under this chapter. Depositions shall be taken before an individual designated by the auditor and having the power to administer oaths. Testimony shall be reduced to writing by or under the direction of the individual taking the deposition and shall be subscribed by the deponent.

(6) (a) If the auditor determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that an employee has engaged in any improper activity, the auditor shall report the nature and details of the activity to:

(i) The employee and the head of the employing agency or municipal corporation; and

(ii) If appropriate, the attorney general or such other authority as the auditor determines appropriate.

(b) The auditor has no enforcement power except that in any case in which the auditor submits a report of alleged improper activity to the head of an agency or municipal corporation, the attorney general, or any other individual to which a report has been made under this section, the individual shall report to the auditor with respect to any action taken by the individual regarding the activity, the first report being transmitted no later than thirty days after the date of the auditor's report and monthly thereafter until final action is taken. If the auditor determines that appropriate action is not being taken within a reasonable time, the auditor shall report the determination to the governor and to the legislature.

(7) This section does not limit any authority conferred upon the attorney general or any other agency of government or a municipal corporation to investigate any matter.

Sec. 4. Section 7, chapter 208, Laws of 1982 as amended by section 5, chapter 284, Laws of 1989 and RCW 42.40.070 are each amended to read as follows:

A written summary of this chapter and procedures for reporting improper governmental actions established by the auditor's office shall be made available by each ((~~department or~~)) agency of state government or each municipal corporation, as appropriate, to each employee upon entering public employment. Employees shall be notified by ((~~each department or agency of state government~~)) their employing state agency or municipal corporation each year of the procedures and protections under this chapter.