03/20/2001 10:48 AM Senate RLS

CHAIRWOMAN PEARCE  noted that Senator Donley, sponsor  of SB  65-PAY                                                        
EQUITY FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, was available to answer questions.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  THERRIAULT  asked Senator  Donley  to outline  the  changes                                                            
between  the  Senate State  Affairs  Committee  and  Senate  Finance                                                            
Committee substitutes.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR DAVE DONLEY  explained that the $500,000 is  not locked in -                                                            
that amount  will be determined  by the $50,000  study.  The  amount                                                            
may be  $80 million,  which is  what contractors  from other  states                                                            
have  estimated.   He noted  that since  the fiscal  notes are  only                                                            
locked in for the first  year, the real impact will be $50,000.  The                                                            
rest  is a "guestimate"  from  the Department.   He  noted that  the                                                            
Senate Finance  Committee  clarified, in  its committee substitute,                                                             
that the study  is to focus on equal pay for equal  work, and not on                                                            
comparable work.   Both federal and state law require  equal pay for                                                            
equal work.  The  bill will make sure that, for example,  two people                                                            
doing  janitorial  work with  different  job  titles,  are not  paid                                                            
differently because one job title is gender dominated.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS  moved to calendar SB  65.  There being no  objection,                                                            
the motion carried.