| SB 6726-S.E - DIGEST |
| (DIGEST AS ENACTED) |
Makes the governor, for certain purposes, the public employer of language access providers. |
Addresses state action immunity under federal and state antitrust laws. |
Provides that chapter 41.56 RCW (public employees' collective bargaining) applies to the governor with respect to language access providers. |
Requires the department of social and health services to certify, authorize, and qualify language access providers as needed to maintain an adequate pool of providers. |
| VETO MESSAGE ON ESSB 6726 |
| April 1, 2010 |
| To the Honorable President and Members, |
| The Senate of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning herewith, without my approval as to Section 1, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6726 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to making the governor the public employer of language access providers." |
| This bill provides for collective bargaining between the Governor and language access providers. Section 1 creates a new workgroup, directed by the Office of Financial Management, charged with developing a plan to improve the efficiency and effectiveness for interpreter service delivery for the Department of Social and Health Services. The Office of Financial Management is to report the findings of the workgroup to the Legislature no later than September 30, 2010. |
| Collective bargaining for language access providers working with the Department of Social and Health Services does not require a legislatively mandated workgroup to make recommendations on improvements to the delivery of services. I am directing the Office of Financial Management and the Department of Social and Health Services to conduct an internal review resulting in recommendations to improve administrative efficiency and effectiveness of language access services and, as part of the review, to seek input from the appropriate stakeholders. |
| For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 1 of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6726. |
| With the exception of Section 1, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6726 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine Gregoire |
| Governor |