Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government, Elections & Information Technology Committee

HB 2669

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.

Brief Description: Adding part-time employees to state civil service.

Sponsors: Representatives Doglio, Ormsby, Hudgins, Valdez, Fitzgibbon, Jinkins, Goodman, Macri, Ortiz-Self, Stanford, Ryu and Pollet.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Removes the exemption of part-time employees from the Civil Service Law.

  • Removes lapsed restrictions on salary increases for exempt employees from the language of the Civil Service Law.

Hearing Date: 1/23/18

Staff: Travis Yonker (786-7383).

Background:

In 1961 Washington's Civil Service Law was enacted through a voter initiative for the stated purpose of establishing a system of personnel administration based on merit principles and methods governing the hiring, promotion, transfer, layoff, recruitment, retention, classification, salary, discipline, and training of state employees.

Since the time of its enactment, the Civil Service Law has exempted various categories of employees, including part-time employees. A part-time employee is defined by the Washington personnel resources board (PRB) as one who is scheduled to work less than that required for a full-time employee.

Beginning on February 18, 2009, the Civil Service Law was amended to place temporary restrictions on salary increases for exempt employees. Those temporary restrictions were extended through June 29, 2013.

Summary of Bill:

Part-time employees are no longer exempt from Washington's civil service laws. Restrictions on salary increases for exempt employees that lapsed in 2013 are removed from the Civil Service Law.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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