SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5133
As of January 17, 2021
Title: An act relating to the definition of confidential employee for the purposes of state collective bargaining.
Brief Description: Concerning the definition of confidential employee for the purposes of state collective bargaining.
Sponsors: Senators Conway, Hasegawa, Keiser, Salda?a and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs: 1/18/21.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Grants employees who assist the attorneys in the Torts Division of the Attorney General's Office the right to collectively bargain. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)
Background:

The Personnel System Reform Act (PSRA) provides for collective bargaining of wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment with classified employees of state agencies and higher education institutions.  Employees covered by the PSRA include all state civil service employees, unless an exemption applies.  One such exemption is for confidential employees.  Confidential employees include employees who assist assistant attorneys general who: 1) advise and represent managers or confidential employees in personnel or labor relations matters, or 2)  advise or represent the state in tort actions.  

 

In 2019, the Legislature granted assistant attorneys general the right to collectively bargain under the PSRA.  
Summary of Bill:

Assistants to assistant attorneys general who advise or represent the state in tort actions are removed from the definition of confidential employee in the PSRA, granting them the right to collectively bargain. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 10, 2021.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.