5352-S.E AMH SEAQ BERN 091

ESSB 5352 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3031.2/09) 523

By Representative Seaquist

WITHDRAWN 4/10/2009

     On page 28, after line 19, insert the following:

     "(9) The Washington state ferries shall undertake a special cost cutting effort to include but not be limited to the following

measures: the elimination of all on-site consultants; the imposition of a $5 million per biennium cap on consulting contracts; the phased reduction of overall headquarters staff to a ceiling of not more than ten percent of total Washington ferries full time equivalent

employees by June 30, 2010, and not more than six percent by June 30, 2011; and the implementation of all feasible cost saving measures developed by on-going labor-management consultations. The savings identified shall be reported to the legislature by October 1, 2009. In addition, the department shall propose by January 1, 2010, a program by which Washington state ferries may implement a “process engineering” program modeled on current industry best practices to continue to develop and implement cost reductions and service improvements."

EFFECT:   Directs the Ferries Division of the Department of Transportation to make operating budget savings and report identified savings to the Legislature by October 1, 2009.  Directs the Ferries Division to propose a "process engineering" model based on industry best practices to continue to implement cost reductions and service improvements.

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