AN ACT Relating to quality awards; amending RCW 43.07.290; adding a new section to chapter 43.06 RCW; recodifying RCW 43.07.290; and repealing RCW 43.07.295.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 43.07.290 and 1998 c 245 s 86 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The Washington quality award council shall be organized as a private, nonprofit corporation, in accordance with chapter 24.03 RCW and this section((~~, with limited staff assistance by the secretary of state as provided by RCW 43.07.295~~)).

(2) The council shall oversee the governor's Washington state quality ((~~achievement~~)) award program. The purpose of the program is to improve the overall competitiveness of the state's economy by stimulating Washington state industries, business, and organizations to bring about measurable success through setting standards of organizational excellence, encouraging organizational self-assessment, identifying successful organizations as role models, and providing a valuable mechanism for promoting and strengthening a commitment to continuous quality improvement in all sectors of the state's economy. The ((~~program~~)) governor shall annually ((~~recognize~~)) present the award to organizations that improve the quality of their products and services and are noteworthy examples of high-performing work organizations, as determined by the council in consultation with the governor or appointed representative.

(3) The ((council shall consist of the governor and the secretary of state, or their designees, as chair and vice-chair, respectively, the director of the department of community, trade, and economic development, or his or her designee, and twenty-seven members appointed by the)) governor shall appoint a representative to serve on the board of directors of the council. ((Those twenty-seven council members must be selected from recognized professionals who shall have backgrounds in or experience with effective quality improvement techniques, employee involvement quality of work life initiatives, development of innovative labor-management relations, and other recognized leaders in state and local government and private business. The membership of the board beyond the chair and vice-chair shall be appointed by the governor for terms of three years.))

(4) The council shall establish a board of examiners, a recognition committee, and such other ((~~subcouncil groups~~)) committees or subgroups as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. ((~~Subcouncil groups established by the council may be composed of noncouncilmembers.~~))

(5) ((The council shall compile a list of resources available for organizations interested in productivity improvement, quality techniques, effective methods of work organization, and upgrading work force skills as a part of the quality for Washington state foundation's ongoing educational programs. The council shall make the list of resources available to the general public.

~~(6)~~)) The council may conduct such public information, research, education, and assistance programs as it deems appropriate to further quality improvement in organizations operating in the state of Washington.

((~~(7)~~)) (6) The council shall:

(a) Approve and announce ((~~achievement~~)) award recipients;

(b) Approve guidelines to examine applicant organizations;

(d) Arrange appropriate annual awards and recognition for recipients((~~, in conjunction with the quality for Washington state foundation;~~

~~(e) Formulate recommendations for change in the nomination form or award categories, in cooperation with the quality for Washington state foundation; and~~

~~(f) Review any related education, training, technology transfer, and research initiatives proposed to it, and that it determines merit such a review.~~

(8) By January 1st of each even-numbered year, the council may report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature on its activities in the proceeding two years and on any recommendations in state policies or programs that could encourage quality improvement and the development of high-performance work organizations)).

((~~(9)~~)) (7) The council shall cease to exist on July 1, ((~~1999~~)) 2004, unless otherwise extended by law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. RCW 43.07.295 (Washington quality award council--Administrative assistance) and 1997 c 329 s 2 are each repealed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. RCW 43.07.290, as amended by this act, is recodified as a section in chapter 43.06 RCW.