SB 242 - HOURS FOR STATE OFFICES CHAIRMAN VEZEY opened SB 242 for discussion. Number 018 SENATOR ROBIN TAYLOR, PRIME SPONSOR, addressed SB 242. He stated SB 242 was introduced because flexible state office hours would give state agencies leeway in setting their "standard state office hours." Each state office would be required to review the preferences and needs of its' clientele, and recommend to the Administration which hours would be best for each community. This would allow state offices the flexibility to serve the public without adding to the state operating budget. The agencies would have to periodically review their office hour structure. SENATOR TAYLOR commented the state's goal should be service to the public. The state's current 37 1/2 hour workweek requires most people to take time off from work to be able to utilize the services. He felt this was inappropriate and people should not have to lose money or make special arrangements to accommodate the state offices. He felt state offices in the larger communities around the state should shift their office hours, whereby they could be open from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. He relayed some state employees have responded positively to the idea of shifting office hours, to better accommodate both the public and their personal lives. SENATOR TAYLOR mentioned the Commissioner of Administration, Nancy Usera, indicated to him that even if SB 242 were not to pass, she would still attempt to put it into effect by regulation. SENATOR TAYLOR felt SB 242 should be passed into law to prevent future administrations from disregarding the implementation of the policy. Number 097 REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT believed SB 242 was a good idea. He asked for a specific example of how SB 242 would apply to a particular agency. SENATOR TAYLOR replied in a smaller community, with only two or three employees, a state office could announce it would be open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., rather than closing at 4:30 p.m. This change may appease both the public and the employees, while not increasing cost for the state's budget. Number 124 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT thought vehicle registration would be a similar example. Number 125 SENATOR TAYLOR responded most smaller communities do not have a full-time employee in charge of vehicle registration, therefore it may not be an appropriate assimilation. He implied using a Department of Environmental Conservation office to obtain a building permit might be another example. Number 141 REPRESENTATIVE BETTYE DAVIS stated SB 242 was a good bill. She noted some state agencies were already extending their hours past 4:30 p.m. to accommodate their clients. SENATOR TAYLOR appreciated their motivation. Number 150 CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked what SB 242 would actually do. Number 153 SENATOR TAYLOR answered SB 242 requires agencies to review their hours in an attempt to carry the policy out. The agencies would report back periodically on their success. Having the policy in law would be stronger than having it in regulation. Number 165 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT moved to pass SB 242 out of committee with individual recommendations. Number 168 CHAIRMAN VEZEY recognized the motion and asked the committee secretary to call the roll. IN FAVOR: REPRESENTATIVES VEZEY, KOTT, B. DAVIS, SANDERS. ABSENT: REPRESENTATIVES ULMER, G. DAVIS, OLBERG. CHAIRMAN VEZEY announced SB 242 passed from the House State Affairs committee.