COMMUNICATION WITH A LEGISLATOR

Senate Bill 686 (S-3) as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Tom Barrett

House Committee:  Oversight

Senate Committee:  Oversight

Complete to 3-3-20

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 686 would create a new act to prohibit a state department or agency or a member or office of the Senate or House of Representatives from taking disciplinary action against certain state employees for communicating with certain individuals in the legislative branch of state government.

Specifically, under the bill, a department or agency of the state could not take disciplinary action against an employee of the department or agency in the state classified civil service because the employee communicated with a member of the Senate or House of Representatives or the staff of a Senate or House member.

Additionally, a member or office of the Senate or House of Representatives could not take disciplinary action against a nonpartisan employee of the Senate or House of Representatives because the employee communicated with a member of the Senate or House of Representatives or the staff of a Senate or House member.

The bill would not apply if the communication was prohibited by law and the person or entity taking disciplinary action was exercising its authority as provided by law.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Rick Yuille

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Michael Cnossen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.