Senate Bill 126

Senator Daniel Liljenquist is running Senate Bill 126 - “State Personnel Management Act Amendments” that would change the current reduction in force (RIF) statute to state “The department head of a reappointing department may disapprove the reappointment of a career service employee from the reappointment roster.” UPEA is strongly opposed to this bill. When an agency performs a RIF, it is does so because of budget constraints, change in workload, or lack of work. By statute they cannot RIF an employee due to differences in character or performance issues that would require dismissal for just cause. What purpose does it serve to deny a proven and qualified former employee a reappointment, for which the former employee is qualified? The potential of this change in statute could result in favoritism and/or discrimination. UPEA supports the current reappointment process because it allows for fair and unbiased decision making.