SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6674

                    As of February 4, 1998

Title:  An act relating to annual salary increases.

Brief Description:  Regarding annual salary increases.

Sponsors:  Senators Fraser, Winsley, Roach, Jacobsen, Goings, Wood, Patterson and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  2/5/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff:  Debrah Kime (786-7454)

Background:  Currently, the Department of Personnel conducts statewide salary surveys every two years, alternating between a comprehensive salary and fringe benefit survey and a trend salary and fringe benefit survey.

The survey results pertain to higher education classified employees and general government employees under Washington Personnel Resources Board jurisdiction.

The last survey was a trend salary and fringe benefit survey and it was conducted in 1996.  The trend survey measures average salary and fringe benefit movement for broad occupational groups since the comprehensive survey. 

The results of the surveys are submitted to the Governor, the director of the Office of Financial Management, and to the standing committees for appropriations of the Senate and House of Representative by September 30 of the year in which the survey is conducted.

Summary of Bill:  Positions identified as more than 10 percent behind the prevailing wage, as determined by the most recent salary survey, comprehensive or trend, are given annual salary increases of 22 percent until they are 10 percent behind the prevailing wage as identified by the most recent salary survey.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 2, 1998.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.