HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1494

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to the powers of the director of general administration.

Brief Description:  Clarifying the duties of the director of general administration.

Sponsors:  Representatives Miloscia, Kenney, Veloria, Romero, Barlean, Ogden and Wolfe; by request of Department of General Administration.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

State Government:  2/12/99, 3/2/99 [DPS].

           Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Clarifies the powers of the director of the Department of General Administration.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives McMorris, Republican Co-Chair; Romero, Democratic Co-Chair; Campbell, Republican Vice Chair; Miloscia, Democratic Vice Chair; Dunshee; Haigh; Lambert and D. Schmidt.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:

The Department of General Administration is required to be organized into divisions, including the division of capitol buildings, division of purchasing, division of engineering and architecture, and division of motor vehicle transportation service.

A director of General Administration is appointed by the Governor, with consent of the Senate, who holds office at the pleasure of the Governor.

The director of General Administration is: (1) given charge and general supervision over the department; (2) authorized to appoint a deputy director and such clerical and other assistants that are necessary for the administration of the department; and (3) given express authority to adopt rules relating to some, but not all, of the varied authorities granted to the department, especially authorities granted to the division of purchasing.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Statutes relating to the Department of General Administration are revised to clarify the authority of the director of that department.

The director is declared to be the executive head of the Department of General Administration with complete charge and supervisory powers over the department and the authority to create administrative structures deemed appropriate and employee personnel under the civil service laws.  The director is granted specific authority to:

$administer and supervise the department;

$enter into contracts to carry out the department's responsibilities;

$accept gifts and grants related to the purposes of the department;

$appoint a deputy director, assistant directors, and special assistants to administer the department, who are exempt from civil service laws.

$adopt rules;

$delegate powers and duties; and

$establish advisory groups.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Grants may only be accepted that relate to the purposes of the department.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This provides flexibility and better management authority.  The department's statutes have developed piece by piece over 40 years.  This is a housekeeping bill.  This will bring the Department of General Administration into the modern era.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified:  Representative Miloscia, prime sponsor; Grant Fredricks, Department of General Administration; and Leavitt White, retired citizen.