There shall be a chief executive officer of each department to be known as: (1) The secretary of social and health services, (2) the director of ecology, (3) the director of labor and industries, (4) the director of agriculture, (5) the director of fish and wildlife, (6) the secretary of transportation, (7) the director of licensing, (8) the director of enterprise services, (9) the director of commerce, (10) the director of veterans affairs, (11) the director of revenue, (12) the director of retirement systems, (13) the secretary of corrections, (14) the secretary of health, (15) the director of financial institutions, (16) the director of the department of archaeology and historic preservation, (17) the secretary of children, youth, and families, and (18) the executive director of the Puget Sound partnership.
Such officers, except the director of fish and wildlife, shall be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, and hold office at the pleasure of the governor. The director of fish and wildlife shall be appointed by the fish and wildlife commission as prescribed by RCW
77.04.055.
Findings—Intent—2005 c 319: "The legislature finds that it is in the interest of the state to restructure the roles and responsibilities of the state's transportation agencies in order to improve efficiency and accountability. The legislature also finds that continued citizen oversight of the state's transportation system remains an important priority. To achieve these purposes, the legislature intends to provide direct accountability of the department of transportation to the governor, in his or her role as chief executive officer of state government, by making the secretary of transportation a cabinet-level official. Additionally, it is essential to clearly delineate between the separate and distinct roles and responsibilities of the executive and legislative branches of government. The role of executive is to oversee the implementation of transportation programs, while the legislature reserves to itself the role of policymaking. Finally, consolidating public outreach and auditing of the state's transportation agencies under a single citizen-governed entity, the transportation commission, will provide the public with information about the performance of the transportation system and an avenue for direct participation in its oversight." [
2005 c 319 § 1.]
Effective dates—2005 c 319: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2005, except for section 103 of this act which takes effect July 1, 2006." [
2005 c 319 § 145.]