SB 5296 — Removing the requirement that an employee must work at least six months before taking vacation leave.

S-1378.1SUBSTITUTEZ-0282.1SENATE SENATE BILL 5296State of Washington65th Legislature2017 Regular SessionBy Senate State Government (originally sponsored by Senators Braun, Ranker, and Keiser;

by request of Office of Financial Management)READManagementRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 02/09/17.AN01/19/17. ACT Relating to removing the requirement that an employee must work at least six months before taking vacation leave;

amendingReferred RCWto 43.01.040,Committee 43.01.041,on andState 43.01.044;Government.AN ACT Relating to removing the requirement that an employee must work at least six months before taking vacation leave;

amending RCW 43.01.040 and 43.01.044;

PROVIDED, That if a subordinate officer's or employee's request for vacation leave is deferred by reason of the convenience of the employing office, department, or institution, and a statement of the necessity therefor is retained by the agency, then the aforesaid maximum ((thirty working days)) two hundred forty hours of accrued unused vacation leave shall be extended for each month said leave is so deferred.Sec. 2.  RCW 43.01.04143.01.044 and 20111983 1stc sp.s.283 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:As an alternative, in addition to the provisions of RCW 43.01.040 authorizing the accumulation of vacation leave in excess of ((thirty days)) two hundred forty hours with the filing of a statement of necessity, vacation leave in excess of ((thirty days)) two hundred forty hours may also be accumulated as provided in this section but without the filing of a statement of necessity.

c 39 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:Officers and employees referred to in RCW 43.01.040 whose employment is terminated by their death, reduction in force, resignation, dismissal, or retirement, who have been employed for at least six continuous months, and who have accrued vacation leave as specified in RCW 43.01.040 or 43.01.044, shall be paid therefor under their contract of employment, or their estate if they are deceased, or if the employee in case of voluntary resignation has provided adequate notice of termination.

((Annual)) Vacation leave accumulated under RCW 43.01.044 is not to be included in the computation of retirement benefits.

From July 1, 2011, through June 29, 2013, the amount of pay received by an employee under the provisions of this section shall not be reduced by any temporary salary reduction.Should the legislature revoke any benefits or rights provided under chapter 292, Laws of 1985, no affected officer or employee shall be entitled thereafter to receive such benefits or exercise such rights as a matter of contractual right.Sec. 3.  RCW 43.01.044 and 1983 c 283 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:As an alternative, in addition to the provisions of RCW 43.01.040 authorizing the accumulation of vacation leave in excess of ((thirty days)) two hundred forty hours with the filing of a statement of necessity, vacation leave in excess of ((thirty days)) two hundred forty hours may also be accumulated as provided in this section but without the filing of a statement of necessity.

A copy of any such authorization shall be sent to the department of retirement systems.NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.  ThisSECTION.  Sec. 3.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2017.--- END ---