Title: An act relating to the civil service commissions for sheriffs' offices.

Brief Description: Clarifying the authority of the civil service commissions for sheriffs' offices.

Sponsors: By Senator Fairley.

Brief History:

Local Government: 3/20/07 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/30/07, 94-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Eddy, Vice Chair; Curtis, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ross, B. Sullivan and Takko.

Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

An initiative measure adopted by voters in 1958 established three-person civil service commissions (commissions) in each county to, in part, adopt rules and regulations governing personnel administration in sheriffs' offices. The initiative also authorized qualifying counties to establish combined civil service systems to serve the counties so combined. Commission members are appointed by the appropriate boards of county commissioners to serve six-year terms without compensation.

In addition to making personnel rules and regulations, commissions are also charged with other powers and duties, including:

• holding regular meetings at least once each month;
• giving practical tests to determine the capacity of persons to perform duties of a position that is to be filled;
• making investigations and reports concerning specific personnel requirements, rules, and regulations; and
• hearing and determining appeals or complaints regarding the allocation of positions.

Commissions must appoint, through a competitive examination process, a chief examiner to serve as a secretary of the commission. The chief examiner must be properly qualified and is required by statute to:

• keep records for and preserve reports made to the commission;
• superintend and keep records of examinations held under the commission's direction; and
• perform other duties directed by the commission.

Although the chief examiner is appointed by the commission, statute does not expressly confer the commission with supervisory responsibility for the position.

Summary of Bill:

Commissions are granted supervisory responsibility for chief examiners.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) When I became a civil service commissioner in Thurston County, we found that no one was supervising the commission's chief examiner and that he had not received an evaluation in about 20 years; it was assumed that someone was supervising him. This bill is a clarification of existing law that was reported out of the Senate with a vote of 48-0.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Glenn Dunnam, Retired Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.