SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5306

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

       Labor & Workforce Development, February 23, 1999

Title:  An act relating to authorizing state employee lump sum relocation assistance.

Brief Description:  Authorizing state agencies to offer incentives to state employees to relocate from one part of the state to another.

Sponsors:  Senators Gardner, Haugen, Swecker, Fraser and Winsley; by request of Commissioner of Public Lands.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  2/16/99, 2/23/99 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5306 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Hochstatter, Kline and Wojahn.

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background:  It can be difficult to recruit or transfer well-qualified candidates for state jobs in remote areas or areas with high real estate prices.  A state agency can use salaries or moving costs to address this difficulty, but there is currently no provision for a relocation payment.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  State agencies may offer a lump-sum relocation payment if necessary to induce a new or current employee to relocate.  An agency doing so must follow rules established by the State Personnel Resources Board.

The lump sum is to be reimbursed if the person receiving it leaves state employment within one year of the new employment.  Reimbursement is not required if the separation is due to layoff, disability or other good cause as determined by an agency director.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill's requirement of OFM approval of relocation payment for noncivil service employees is removed.  The substitute bill adds exceptions to the reimbursement requirement.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 11, 1999.

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

Testimony For:  DNR is having recruitment difficulties at some of the field sites.  This bill would be a potential solution to the problem.  The bill contains rulemaking and recaptures safeguards.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Gardner, prime sponsor; Rose Amurao, DNR; Lynn McKinnon,  Allen Jacobsen, WA Public Employees Assn.