Legislature(2007 - 2008)
2008-03-03 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2008-03-03 Senate Journal Page 2054 SB 297 SENATE BILL NO. 297 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the compensation for certain public officials, officers, and employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements; relating to pay increments for longevity in state service; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration Governor's transmittal letter dated February 29: Dear President Green: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that would amend the salary schedule set out in AS 39.27.011(a) to reflect the increase tentatively agreed to by the supervisory unit of state employees. The salary schedule would provide for a 5.5% increase in FY08, 3% in FY09 and 3% in FY10. Provisions that are not in codified sections of the statute authorize the same pay increments for employees and officials of the Alaska Court System, the University of Alaska, and certain independent state agencies. 2008-03-03 Senate Journal Page 2055 I tasked an Executive Working Group under Administrative Order No. 237 with identifying recruitment and retention issues. Several legislators have expressed concern about whether the state is losing ground to other employers. This legislation would implement a portion of the recommendations of the Working Group. The full report is available on the Department of Administration website. With almost a quarter of the entire state workforce eligible to retire within five years, it is a priority of mine to recruit and retain qualified, professional staff. The bill would also change the practice with respect to longevity pay steps for non-covered employees. The current law provides for 3.75 percent increases at two, four, nine, and 13 years after reaching F step on the salary schedule, and requires an employee to have seven years continuous service before the employee is eligible for longevity pay. This restriction will help the state attract and retain highly qualified employees. This legislation would repeal the longevity pay step statute, and provide in AS 39.27.011 for pay increments to employees at two year intervals after they attain the F step in their range. The requirement of seven years of continuous service would be eliminated. Legislative and Judicial branch employees who are not magistrates and judicial officers, and exempt officers and employees who are not covered by collective bargaining agreements may receive these increments if the agencies employing those persons adopt compensation policies that include those persons. In addition, the bill would raise the pay range assigned to the members of the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) and certain members of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) from range 26 to range 27, and would raise the pay range of the chief procurement officer from range 24 to range 27. Statutory references to specific salary steps within pay ranges would be removed for deputy heads of principal departments, and CFEC and RCA members. The bill would also provide for a July 1, 2008 effective date so that the 2008 salary increases are aligned with the new fiscal year for budgetary reasons, except that retroactive provisions of the bill would go into effect immediately. 2008-03-03 Senate Journal Page 2056 These changes are consistent with the goal of this administration to improve recruitment and retention of state employees, and the result of the Administrative Order 237 Working Group. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Sarah Palin Governor