SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2396
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections, February 23, 2012
Title: An act relating to clarifying the number of employees within certain classifications within the consolidated technology services agency.
Brief Description: Clarifying the number of employees within certain classifications within the consolidated technology services agency.
Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Hinkle, Hunt, Sells, Zeiger, Appleton, Armstrong, Seaquist, Miloscia, Green, Blake, Ryu, Stanford, Hasegawa, Reykdal, Kenney, Kirby, Upthegrove, Jinkins, Fitzgibbon, Liias, Billig, McCoy, Dunshee, Van De Wege, Ormsby, Moeller, Probst, Goodman, Sullivan, Lytton, Haigh, Dickerson, Cody, Moscoso, Tharinger, Ladenburg, Hope, Orcutt, Maxwell and Kelley.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/09/12, 60-35.
Committee Activity: Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections: 2/21/12, 2/23/12 [DPA].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Pridemore, Chair; Prentice, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Chase and Nelson.
Staff: Sam Thompson (786-7413)
Background: A 2011 act reorganizing many agencies created the Consolidated Technology Services (CTS) agency. CTS employees perform varied computer system and data management services. Most are exempt from state civil service laws.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): CTS agency officers and employees are exempt from state civil service laws if they perform specified management functions or duties. No more than 25 percent of CTS agency employees may be exempt from state civil service laws.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The proposed committee striking amendment narrows the exemption to apply to certain management functions and duties, alleviating concerns regarding the scope of the bill. The bill addresses concerns regarding employees who lost civil service protection when they became CTS employees. Civil service protections should be preserved.
CON: CTS faces difficulties in limiting the exemption to 25 percent of CTS employees, as proposed in the underlying bill and in the proposed committee striking amendment. Exempt categories specified in the proposed committee striking amendment do not align with accepted exempt categories, and would be difficult to implement.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Alia Griffins, Jeff Paulsen, WA Federation of State Employees; Seamus Walsh Petrie, WA Public Employees Association; Thomas E. Young, citizen.
CON: Blake Chard, CTS.