Personnel & Labor Relations

The following bills did not pass out of committee by the cutoff deadline and likely will not get further consideration this year:

• SB 6635/HB 3049,which would have included employer contributions to deferred compensation in basic salary for the computation of LEOFF 2 pensions;
• SB 6867/HB 3294, which would have defined "employment" for minimum wage purposes to mean that work does not include the use of an employer’s vehicle, by agreement;
• SB 6622/HB 2142, which would have provided legal redress for employees who were subject to workplace bullying;
• SB 6664/ HB 3026, which would have provided for an annual increase in the $150,000 death benefit payable to employees who die as the result of an on the job injury or illness; and
• HB 3331, which would have identified MRSA as a presumptive duty-related illness for fire fighters.

Military Leave of Absence (HB 1127)

HB 1127 extends paid military leaves of absence for public employees from 15 to 30 days per year. The bill passed the House in January and is now scheduled for a public hearing before the Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections on Thursday, February 21 at 3:30 pm.

Providing Industrial Insurance Benefits (HB 1545)

Similar to provisions in SB 3020, HB 1545 provides monthly industrial insurance death benefits for life for the surviving spouses of law enforcement officers and fire fighters, if the surviving spouse remarries. HB 1545 passed the House Commerce and Labor Committee on February 4 and is now in the House Rules Committee.

Family Leave Insurance (SSB 6280/ HB 3305)

On February 12, SSB 6280 passed from the Senate Ways and Means Committee to the Senate Rules Committee and HB 3305 passed out of the House Appropriations Committee to the House Rules Committee.

These bills implement the family leave insurance program enacted by E2SSB 5659, passed last year, but only with respect to designating agencies to administer and enforce the program. Payment of benefits will not begin until October of 2009. Program administration money is budgeted; however a funding source to pay the benefits has not yet been identified nor do we expect it to be identified this year.

Prohibiting Discrimination in Community Athletic Programs (SB6547/SHB 3001)

Please see the article in the General Local Government section regarding these bills.

Providing Additional Revenues for Public Safety (SB 6573/HB 2962)

Please see the Municipal Finance section for information on these bills.

Medicare Only Benefits (HB 2510/SB6446) 

These bills would allow law enforcement officers, fire fighters and certain other public employees to obtain Medicare coverage through a "divided referendum" process. HB 2510 passed the House Rules Committee on February 13 and was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. SB 6446 remains in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Adjusting Veterans’ Scoring Criteria (HB 2755)

This bill allows preferential scoring criteria for public employees called to active military service. Some public employment positions require applicants to take an examination. In those cases, preference is given to veterans by adding a percentage to the grade or rating.

Current statute states that veterans of active military service receive the preferential scoring only if they are called away from public employment for at least one year. This bill removes the one year provision, making any veteran called to active duty eligible for the scoring preference. HB 2755 passed out of the House on February 7 and was referred to Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee. The bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

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