MODIFIED WMS, LEGISLATOR ACCESS BILLS CLEAR COMMITTEE

Two Federation-initiated bills cleared committee Friday afternoon and stay alive.

In passing SHB 2049, the House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee did not eliminate the Washington Management Service. But in the interest of “finding every possible efficiency,” the bill commits “to review the state’s senior management and exempt services and understands that possible refinements in the service are needed.” The bill still requires reports on the number of exempt and WMS positions and special pay given out. But amendments require those reports yearly instead of twice a year.

The committee also passed HB 1920, the bill explicitly allowing legislators to visit worksites and meet with employees. The bill came about after the Department of Ecology barred 22nd District legislators from setting foot on the premises for an annual lunchtime briefing on upcoming legislative issues. HB 1920 would amend the state ethics law to explicitly allow those informational and educational sessions with lawmakers.