HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2062
As Reported by House Committee On:
State Government & Tribal Relations
Title: An act relating to exemption of certain personnel of the department of social and health services from civil service.
Brief Description: Concerning exemption of certain personnel of the department of social and health services from civil service.
Sponsors: Representatives Schmidt, Ramos and Cheney; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government & Tribal Relations: 1/17/24, 1/26/24 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Revises the positions within the Department of Social and Health Services that are exempt from the State Civil Service Law.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL RELATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 6 members:Representatives Ramos, Chair; Stearns, Vice Chair; Cheney, Ranking Minority Member; Christian, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Gregerson and Mena.
Staff: Connor Schiff (786-7093).
Background:

The State Civil Service Law governs the appointment, promotion, transfer, layoff, removal, discipline, and welfare of most state agency employees.  The State Civil Service Law applies to most state agency employees, unless expressly excluded.  For example, the State Civil Service Law does not apply to the legislative branch, the judiciary, academic personnel, state patrol officers, the chief executive officers of each agency, and certain other management staff.

 

In addition, a number of exempt positions are expressly designated for various state agencies.  The following Department of Social and Health Services positions are exempt: 

  • the Secretary;
  • the Secretary's executive assistant;
  • a maximum of six assistant secretaries, 13 division directors, and six regional directors, and one confidential secretary for each of these positions;
  • a maximum of six bureau chiefs; and
  • superintendents of institutions that have an average daily population of 100 or more residents.
Summary of Bill:

The following Department of Social and Health Services positions are exempt from the State Civil Service Law: 

  • the Secretary; 
  • the Secretary's executive assistant; 
  • the chief of staff and deputy chief of staff; 
  • assistant and deputy assistant secretaries; 
  • senior directors;
  • division directors;
  • assistant and deputy division directors;
  • regional administrators;
  • district managers;
  • executive officers and superintendents of institutions; and
  • executive assistants supporting the above officers.
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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The current listed exemptions are outdated and do not align with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) structure.  The bill aligns exempt positions with the current agency structure of the DSHS.  The exempted positions have not been updated since 1980 and the agency structure has changed a lot since then.  The change would help DSHS carry out the work of the agency and benefit those who receive services from the agency.  The exemptions would allow DSHS to appoint leaders in key positions to support the agency's strategic plan. 

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Suzanne Schmidt, prime sponsor; and Andrew Colvin and Johanna Tatarian, Department of Social and Health Services, Human Resources Division.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.