Enforcement officers for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife must currently bargain collectively for a master agreement with the governor’s office that may include provisions not requested by the agency. The Senate passed Senate Bill 5763, sponsored by Senator Judy Warnick, R – Moses Lake which allows enforcement officers to negotiate separately with the governor’s office.

“Those responsible for keeping millions of acres safe for our citizens have requested this change to allow more flexibility in their bargaining process,” Warnick said. “The current requirements aren’t meeting the need of this unique group of state employees and I believe this change will help in the long run to make the process more efficient and fair.”

The legislation allows for the enforcement officers to remain under the current bargaining structure of the Personnel System Reform Act of 2002. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.