03/24/1999 06:09 PM Senate FIN

                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 33                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to the Task Force on Privatization;                                                                            
and providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
This was the forth hearing for this bill.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senator Randy Phillips moved for adoption of CS SB 33                                                                           
Version "N" as a Workdraft. Senator Al Adams objected. Co-                                                                      
Chair John Torgerson explained a new subsection was added                                                                       
to page 2 under the title, "Items not subject to                                                                                
bargaining" to add an ability for the state to hire out                                                                         
services previously performed by state employees.  Section                                                                      
3 was added and provided that if the state intended to                                                                          
enter into contract with a private entity to perform                                                                            
services the labor organization representing the affected                                                                       
employees may submit a response to demonstrate that the                                                                         
state would not reduce costs. The state would consider the                                                                      
statement but would not provide a preference when making                                                                        
the final decision.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator Al Adams removed his objection and Version "N" was                                                                      
adopted without objection.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Loren Leman moved for adoption of Amendment #4.                                                                         
Senator Al Adams objected for explanation. Senator Loren                                                                        
Leman explained the change would be to page 2 line 3 adding                                                                     
a provision noting there may be state functions that should                                                                     
be consolidated or otherwise performed more efficiently. He                                                                     
did not want to limit the task force to only consider the                                                                       
privatization or consolidation of services if there were                                                                        
other options.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Al Adams removed his objection and Amendment #4 was                                                                     
adopted without objection.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Loren Leman moved for adoption of Amendment #5. Co-                                                                     
Chair John Torgerson objected. Senator Loren Leman                                                                              
explained that this amendment would allow the commissioner                                                                      
to appoint an advisory council to assist with specific                                                                          
topics. The members would be volunteers and incur no                                                                            
additional expenses. They would not have a vote in the                                                                          
final proceedings. He shared that in his experiences                                                                            
serving on commissions, this had been helpful. Senator Lyda                                                                     
Green asked if Senator Loren Leman had talked about this                                                                        
with the sponsor. Senator Loren Leman had not.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair John Torgerson removed his objection. Senator Lyda                                                                     
Green objected.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Amendment #5 was adopted by a vote of 8-1. Senator Lyda                                                                         
Green cast the nay vote.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair John Torgerson ordered the bill held in committee.