04/22/1999 08:00 AM House STA

HB 199-STATE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR JAMES announced the first order of business before the                                                                    
committee is HB 199, "An Act relating to compensation for certain                                                               
state employees; and providing for an effective date."  She                                                                     
reminded that members that public testimony was closed at the                                                                   
previous hearing.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Number 016                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR JAMES noted that a copy of the proposed committee substitute                                                              
(CS) had been distributed.  She pointed out that the CS deletes                                                                 
Section 15 and puts the Supplemental Benefits  System (SBS)                                                                     
participation back into its current status.  The proposed CS also                                                               
deletes "until July 1, 2001," thus grandfathering in all existing                                                               
geographic differentials.  In response to Representative Smalley,                                                               
Representative James noted that the cover sheet with the proposed                                                               
CS should cite the deletion of "until July 1, 2001" as occurring on                                                             
line 19, page 7 not page 20.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR JAMES asked for a motion to put the CS before the committee.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Number 066                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL made a motion to adopt the proposed CS for                                                               
HB 199, version H, Cramer, 4/19/99, as a working document.  There                                                               
being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Number 082                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR JAMES called a brief at-ease at 8:05 a.m. to give the members                                                             
a few moments to review the CS and for copies of the fiscal note to                                                             
be made.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
[Members introduced guests that were present for "Take your                                                                     
daughter to work day."]                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Number 123                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE WHITAKER asked if there was a fiscal note attached                                                               
to the original version of HB 199.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR JAMES replied that she didn't believe there was.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Number 139                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL moved to report CSHB 199, version H, Cramer,                                                             
4/19/99, out of committee with individual recommendations and                                                                   
attached fiscal notes.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Number 145                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON objected.  He emphasized that the elements                                                                
within HB 199 fall under the purview of collective bargaining and                                                               
not the legislative process.  Therefore, Representative Hudson                                                                  
objected to the intentions of the legislation.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE OGAN remarked, if this is subjected to collective                                                                
bargaining, the reductions will never be seen.  Therefore,                                                                      
Representative Ogan said that he would recommend reporting the                                                                  
legislation from committee.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA stated that she appreciated the effort to                                                               
return SBS participation back to its current status.  However, the                                                              
bill still sets up various tiers of employees which she indicated                                                               
to be a demoralizing factor that really undermines the service of                                                               
people.  She surmised from the letters and testimony on this issue                                                              
that people felt they weren't valued as employees.  She emphasized                                                              
that it's sending the wrong message, especially at this time.                                                                   
Therefore, Representative Kerttula said she would not be supporting                                                             
the legislation.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Number 204                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Upon a roll call vote, Representatives Ogan, Coghill, Whitaker and                                                              
James voted in favor of moving CSHB 199(STA), version H, Cramer,                                                                
4/19/99, from committee and Representatives Hudson, Smalley, and                                                                
Kerttula voted against it.  Therefore CSHB 199(STA) passed out of                                                               
committee.