HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1013
As Passed House:
January 30, 2025
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, Fosse, Berry and Reeves; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government & Tribal Relations: 1/14/25, 1/17/25 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 1/30/25, 96-0.
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 Mena, Chair; Stearns, Vice Chair; Waters, Ranking Minority Member; Chase, Doglio and Farivar.
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, 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) This allows the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to restructure and provides more flexibility. ?The statute was last revised in the 1980s; it needs to be updated to match the DSHS's current structure. ?The DSHS's structure would not be changed.

?

(Opposed) None.?
Persons Testifying:

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