House Bill 3094 would make changes to the way state agencies hire and fire employees. It was advanced by the House Government Efficiency Committee this week.
The bill’s author, Representative Mike Osburn, says it has been awhile since lawmakers took a look at the state’s human resources and its processes.
“Our state’s civil service system hasn’t been majorly updated in 37 years, and the majority of its policies are outdated and ineffective because HR practice has changed so much,” Osburn said. “House Bill 3094 removes outdated red tape and makes management easier within our state agencies while also taking steps to preserve due process, accountability and transparency.”
HB 3094, called the Civil Service and Human Capitol Modernization Act, places all new hires beginning January 1, 2021, into a new system called the Human Capital Management Administration (HCMA). It allows existing “classified” state employees to opt into the system or remain in the current system until they leave the job. Lawmakers estimate about two thirds of the state’s 30,000 employees are classified in the current merit system which hasn’t been reformed since Governor George Nigh was in office.
The measure also preserves due process for employee protests of disciplinary actions, gives protections for whistleblowers and appeals for politically motivated actions by management. It also gives leeway to agencies to set hiring, promotion, pay and other H.R. related policies.
Osburn says HB 3094 will continue to evolve has it takes its next steps through the Legislature.
“This bill is the work product of discussions with various entities such as the Governor’s Office, the OPEA, cabinet secretaries, agency heads, OMES, the Senate and other stakeholders over two and a half years and is continually evolving,” Osburn said. “The process getting to this point has been quite collaborative and productive. And this isn’t the final product. I look forward to working with everyone to craft one of the most meaningful, consensus-driven government reforms in years.”
HB 3094 moves to the House floor for consideration.
