BILL REQ. #:  S-1477.1 

Read first time 02/06/2007.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management.

     AN ACT Relating to the responsibilities of the Washington quality award council; amending RCW 43.06.335; and making appropriations.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 43.06.335 and 2004 c 245 s 1 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.
     (2) The council shall oversee the governor's Washington state quality 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 governor shall annually 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 governor shall appoint a representative to serve on the board of directors of the council.
     (4) The council shall establish a board of examiners, a recognition committee, and such other committees or subgroups as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities.
     (5) 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.
     (6) The council shall:
     (a) Approve and announce award recipients;
     (b) Approve guidelines to examine applicant organizations;
     (c) Approve appointment of board of examiners; ((and))
     (d) Arrange appropriate annual awards and recognition for recipients;
     (e) Provide training to technical assistance providers from the department of community, trade, and economic development, Washington manufacturing service, associate development organizations, and other organizations in continuous quality improvement, performance measurement, strategic planning, and other approaches designed to reduce operating costs, improve effectiveness, and increase productivity in businesses receiving assistance; and
     (f) Offer the services of a public sector and a private sector manager to conduct conferences, perform outreach, provide training, and deliver technical assistance to organizations, agencies, and businesses to allow them to develop and implement quality management, accountability, and performance systems.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the state general fund to the Washington quality award council for the operation of its quality award program and the purposes of this act.
     (2) The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the state general fund to the Washington quality award council for the operation of its quality award program and the purposes of this act.