HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 530

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Grimm, H. Sommers and Belcher

Creating the labor relations review board.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

House Staff:Chris Cordes (786-7117)

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

     Signed by Representatives Wang, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Fisch, Fisher, R. King, O'Brien, Sanders, Sayan and Walker.

Minority Report:     Do not pass.  (2)

     Signed by Representatives Patrick and C. Smith.

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR FEBRUARY 16, 1987

BACKGROUND:

During the 1986 legislative interim, the Subcommittee on Public Employment Collective Bargaining of the House Commerce & Labor Committee studied the public employment collective bargaining system.  At the subcommittee hearings, suggestions for change were made in numerous areas of the labor relations law.  Many of the issues raised before the subcommittee appeared to warrant continuing study and future recommendations for legislative consideration.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  A twelve member Public Employment Review Board, equally representing public employees, public employers and the public, is created in the governor's office.  The board's responsibility is to review the state's public employment system, including labor relations law, and prepare a comprehensive policy statement for personnel administration.

The board is directed to review and make recommendations in:  (1) educational employment, including higher education;  (2)  other state civil service;  (3)  local government employment; and (4)  all other public employment, including ferry workers and exempt employees.

The board's preliminary report to the governor and legislature evaluating the public employment system and making recommendations for change is to be submitted by the start of the 1988 legislative session.  A final report is due by October 1, 1988.  The board will terminate January 1, 1989, unless extended by law.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The name of the board is changed from the Labor Relations Review Board to the Public Employment Review Board.  The requirement is deleted that the governor's appointments to the board be made with the advice and consent of the Senate.  The governor is given authority to appoint the chair.

The board's final report is to be submitted by October 1, 1988, instead of July 1, 1988.

Other minor changes are made.

Fiscal Note:    Requested January 22, 1987.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Gene St. John, Washington Public Employees Association; Susan Johnson, Service Employees International Union; and Don Wells, University of Washington (with concerns).

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     The creation of a review board provides an opportunity for study of complex issues in public employment and public labor relations.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.