1739-S

AN ACT Relating to the citizen suggestion program; amending RCW 41.60.010 and 41.60.160; and adding new sections to chapter 41.60 RCW.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 41.60.010 and 1987 c 387 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Board" means the productivity board.

(2) "Business" has the same meaning as the definition of "person" and "company" in RCW 82.04.030.

(3) "Citizen" means a person living in the state who intends to reside in the state.

(4) "Citizen suggestion program" means the program developed by the board under section 2 of this act.

(5) "Employee suggestion program" means the program developed by the board under RCW 41.60.020.

((~~(3)~~)) (6) "State employees" means employees in state agencies and institutions of higher education except for elected officials, directors of such agencies and institutions, and their confidential secretaries and administrative assistants and others specifically ruled ineligible by the rules of the productivity board.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 41.60 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Before January 1, 1994, the board shall formulate and establish a citizen suggestion program to encourage and reward meritorious suggestions by citizens that will promote efficiency and economy in the performance of any function of state government. The board shall administer the program under this chapter and shall encourage citizens to submit suggestions beginning January 1, 1994. The program shall include provisions for the processing of suggestions having multi-agency impact and postimplementation auditing of suggestions for fiscal accountability.

(2) The board shall make the final determination as to whether a citizen suggestion award will be made and shall determine the nature and extent of the award.

(3) Cash awards for suggestions generating net savings to the state shall be ten percent of the net savings.

(4) No award may be granted in excess of ten thousand dollars.

(5) If the suggestion is significantly modified when implemented, the percentage specified in subsection (3) of this section may be decreased at the option of the board.

(6) The board shall establish guidelines for making cash awards for suggestions for which benefits to the state are intangible or for which benefits cannot be calculated.

(7) Funds for the awards shall be drawn from the appropriation of the agency benefiting from the citizen's suggestion. If the suggestion reduces costs to a nonappropriated fund or reduces costs paid without appropriation from a nonappropriated portion of an appropriated fund, an award may be paid from the benefiting fund or account without appropriation.

(8) Awards may be paid to citizens for suggestions that generate new or additional money for the general fund or any other funds of the state. The director of financial management shall distribute moneys appropriated for this purpose with the concurrence of the productivity board. Transfers shall be made from other funds of the state to the general fund, in amounts equal to award payments made by the general fund, for suggestions generating new or additional money for those other funds.

Sec. 3. RCW 41.60.160 and 1987 c 387 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) No award may be made under this chapter to:

(a) Any elected state official or state agency director;

(b) A person who owns or is employed by a business that will receive a financial benefit if the citizen suggestion were implemented; or

(c) A person who could be considered as acting as an agent on behalf of a business that would receive a financial benefit if the citizen suggestion were implemented.

(2) No monetary award may be made to persons exempt from the state civil service law under RCW 41.06.070 (5) or (9).

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 41.60 RCW to read as follows:

(1) If the productivity board decides not to provide a monetary award for a citizen's suggestion or decides to award an amount that the citizen believes to be inadequate, the citizen or a representative of the citizen may, by written appeal, request that the board reconsider its decision. The appeal shall be filed by mail and shall be postmarked within thirty calendar days of the date of the board's decision. An appeal filed with the board shall specify the reasons a cash award or a particular cash award should be granted to the citizen. It may identify the monetary amount sought in an award.

(2) The productivity board shall consider each such appeal. The determination of the board regarding an appeal is final.