S-480                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5024

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senators West, Smitherman, Warnke, Madsen, Lee and Thorsness

Prefiled with Secretary of the Senate 1/5/89.  Read first time 1/9/89 and referred to Committee on  Economic Development & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to public employees collective bargaining; and adding new sections to chapter 41.56 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     There is hereby created a committee to study the public employees collective bargaining act as provided in this chapter.  As used in sections 1 through 5 of this act, unless the context indicates otherwise, the term "committee" shall mean the committee on public employees collective bargaining.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The committee shall consist of:

          (1) Two senators to be appointed by the president of the senate, not more than one from the same political party, and two representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house, not more than one from the same political party;

          (2) Three representatives of public employees as "public employees" is defined in RCW 41.56.030 to be appointed by the governor; and

          (3) Three representatives of public employers as "public employers" is defined in RCW 41.56.030 to be appointed by the governor.

          In addition, the public employment relations commission shall cooperate with the committee and maintain a liaison representative, who shall be a nonvoting member.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The committee, by majority vote, shall select from among the members a chairman and such other officers as the committee shall deem appropriate.  The committee, by majority vote, may prescribe rules of procedure for itself, may from time to time establish ad hoc committees, and may take such other action as it shall deem appropriate to accomplish its purposes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The members of the committee shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for their expenses while attending meetings of the committee in the same manner as legislators engaged in interim committee business as in RCW 44.04.120.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     The committee shall study the operation of this chapter relating to public employees collective bargaining, or any part thereof as a means of furthering and improving management relationships within public service.  The committee shall submit its report to the governor and the state legislature prior to the convening of each regular session of the legislature during an odd-numbered year, or to any special session if the committee deems it appropriate.  The report shall contain specific recommendations as to necessary or desirable changes, if any, in the law, and shall also include any proposed legislation necessary to implement the recommendations of the committee.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     Sections 1 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 41.56 RCW.