CHAIRMAN HALFORD brought  HB 456 am  (APPROP: COST OF CERTAIN LABOR           
 AGREEMENTS) before the committee as the final order of business.              
 There was a Rules SCS before the committee for its consideration.             
                                                                               
 COMMISSIONER NANCY USERA, Department of Administration, stated she            
 believes that more importantly than just the money that was saved             
 in terms of negotiating the agreement are the terms under which it            
 was done.  It clarified and cleaned up a lot of the language that             
 was particularly problematic for the state under this contract, but           
 even more importantly, for the implications it had on the other 10            
 bargaining units, she said.                                                   
                                                                               
 Commissioner Usera explained the Rules SCS adds the terms of the              
 Public Safety Employees Association letter of agreement as part of            
 the monetary terms of the negotiated agreements.  It also includes            
 intent language which makes it clear that this is a replacement               
 agreement for the original arbitration.                                       
                                                                               
 SENATOR RIEGER pointed out that Section 11 is a conditional                   
 appropriation rather than intent language.  CHAIRMAN HALFORD                  
 agreed, saying that appropriation is only conditioned upon the                
 acceptance and the modification of the letter; it is much stronger            
 than intent language.                                                         
                                                                               
 SENATOR JACKO moved that SCS HB 456(RLS) be adopted.  Hearing no              
 objection, the motion carried.                                                
                                                                               
 SENATOR JACKO moved that SCS HB 456(RLS) be passed out of committee           
 with individual recommendations.  Hearing no objection, it was so             
 ordered.                                                                      
                                                                               
 Before the bill was approved for calendaring, COMMISSIONER USERA              
 commented that these are landmark agreements; they are excellent              
 agreements for the state that make a fundamental shift in the                 
 relationship between the state and its employees.                             
                                                                               
 SENATOR JACKO moved and asked unanimous consent that SCS HB                   
 456(RLS) be approved for calendaring at the Chair's discretion.               
 Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.