2810-S AMH **** KELL 4 [4]

SHB 2810 - H AMD

By Representative Reams

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 41.06 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The legislature recognizes that the most vital resource of state government is the taxpaying citizen who pays for the design, management, implementation and delivery of state programs and services. The citizens have a fundamental right to cost-effective and quality programs and services that are available to any state resident who wants to take advantage of the opportunity to use or receive the programs or benefits. Cost-effective and quality programs and services depend on many factors, including adequate resources, competent personnel, and the removal of unnecessary barriers to improving efficiency and reducing costs.

(2) The legislature further recognizes that due to increasing demands by the public that state government achieve new levels of efficiency and cost-effectiveness in program and service delivery, and that state government reduce the impact of the total system of laws and rules and taxes on residents of this state, it is imperative to immediately and comprehensively examine all aspects of the state civil service system, and make whatever changes are indicated forthwith.

(3) To that end, there is hereby created a privatization and contracting out and civil service reform task force composed of the following members: Four members of the house of representatives, two appointed by each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives respectively; four members of the senate, two appointed by each of the two largest caucuses of the senate respectively; two members appointed by the governor; two members representing employee organizations other than higher education employees that have at least five hundred dues-paying members employed by the state of Washington; two members representing employee organizations of higher education employees that have at least five hundred dues-paying members employed by the state of Washington; two members representing small businesses within the state of Washington; and two members representing large businesses within the state of Washington. The charge of the task force is to make comprehensive recommendations to the legislature no later than December 1, 1994, in the form of proposed legislation, regarding civil service reform in state government, including privatization and contracting out of the design, construction, and operation of state facilities, programs, and services. The task force shall address at least the following issues:

(a) Overall organization of employees, programs and services in state government;

(b) Consolidation, decentralization, reduction, or elimination of employees, programs and services; and

(c) The appropriate role and degree of control of the governor, the Washington personnel resources board, agency directors, and other elected officials;

(d) Cost-savings and efficiencies in the design, management, implementation and delivery of state programs and services;

(e) Identify the principal barriers to, and successes in, effective design, construction, and operation of state employees, facilities, programs, and services;

(f) Analyze the extent to which improvement in these areas is best achieved by changes in privatization, contracting out, and civil service reform, management and organizational initiatives of the governor, agency directors, employee organizations, employees, and other elected officials;

(g) Develop principles, standards and criteria regarding the privatization and contracting out of programs and services by state government;

(h) Employee rights and responsibilities;

(i) Determine the economic value of civil service benefits and protections to employees; and

(j) Identify the impacts, costs, and economic value to employees of collective bargaining regarding decisions that may be cooperatively made between classified employees and management through collective bargaining or otherwise, including grievance procedures, bargaining units, representation, union security, negotiations, and unfair labor practices, and delineate those areas that are inherently management prerogatives and responsibilities.

(4) In developing its recommendations the task force shall draw upon the following resources:

(a) The experience of other states, particularly those who have recently made significant changes in these areas; and

(b) The experience of private sector organizations that are recognized for innovative and effective accomplishment in these fields.

(5) The task force shall meet at least monthly, and shall hold meetings in different regions of the state. Staff services shall be provided by legislative and governor's office staff.

(6) This section shall expire December 31, 1994."