HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1282

Authorizing state agencies to offer incentives

to state employees to relocate from one part of

the state to another.

Brief Title                               Hearing Date: 2/3/99

Reps. Romero, Buck,

Commissioner of Public Lands               Staff: Steve Lundin

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7127

BACKGROUND:

The State Personnel Resources Board is authorized to adopt rules providing for a wide variety of matters relating to employees who are covered by the state=s civil service laws, including sick leaves and hours of work.  Frequently, state agencies apply some of these rules to exempt or unclassified employees who are not covered by the state=s civil service rules.

SUMMARY:

State agencies are authorized to authorize lump sum relocation compensation when it determines that it is necessary to successfully recruit and retain qualified candidates for public employment who will have to make a domiciliary move in order to accept a position.  If the person who is paid lump sum relocation compensation terminates or causes termination with the state within one year of the date of the employment, the state shall be reimbursed for the lump sum payment.

The State Personnel Resources Board adopts rules for lump sum relocation compensation for persons covered by the state=s civil service system.  A state agency may receive authorization from the Office of Financial Management to pay lump sum relocation compensation to exempt or unclassified employees not covered by the state=s civil service system.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.