This bill amends RCW 41.80.010 to exempt exclusive bargaining representatives for Department of Corrections employees from certain provisions related to coalition bargaining. Specifically, it establishes that for Department of Corrections employees, the governor or the governor's designee and an exclusive bargaining representative shall negotiate one master collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, the bill clarifies that this provision does not apply to exclusive bargaining representatives who represent marine department employees at the Department of Corrections, thereby allowing for a more tailored approach to negotiations for these specific employees.

The bill also updates the threshold for exclusive bargaining representatives to negotiate as a coalition from fewer than five hundred employees to fewer than 500 employees. Furthermore, it modifies the language regarding funding requests for collective bargaining agreements, changing the threshold for appropriations from "ten thousand dollars" to "$10,000." These changes aim to streamline the negotiation process and ensure that the unique needs of Department of Corrections employees are adequately addressed in collective bargaining agreements.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 41.80.010
Substitute Bill: 41.80.010