ENROLLED
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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 77
BY REPRESENTATIVE DANAHAY AND SENATOR DONAHUE
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the Department of State Civil Service to consider certain
recommendations made by the Commission on Streamlining Government.
WHEREAS, the economic hardships of our recent national recession have had a
negative impact on Louisiana's financial health, and we find ourselves locked in an extended
period of sharply and steadily declining state revenues resulting in increasingly pronounced
revenue shortfalls; and
WHEREAS, such revenue shortfalls have had a constrictive effect on state
government expenditures and will continue to challenge state government operations over
the next several years; and
WHEREAS, it is the bedrock obligation of every state agency and department to
provide the citizens of Louisiana with quality, cost-effective services even in the face of
adverse economic conditions; and
WHEREAS, it is critical in this time of economic restraint that all state departments
take immediate action to reduce the overall cost of state government, including the
Department of State Civil Service, which is an integral part of hiring and managing much
of Louisiana's government workforce; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana created the Commission on Streamlining
Government to look for ways to reduce the cost of state government through all means
available including efficiencies, economies, greater effectiveness, and other means to
streamline government in order to overcome the projected severe revenue reductions and to
ensure that available state tax dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively, and the
commission has issued numerous recommendations. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 77
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Department of State Civil Service to consider the following
Commission on Streamlining Government recommendations:
(1) Coordinating with the division of administration to eliminate any duplication in
training programs and to ensure there are no gaps in the training programs offered.
(2) Adopting appropriate national, regional, or state testing or certification programs
to be used in lieu of the civil service exam in order to determine an applicant's qualifications
for classified positions. The department should also consider whether an applicant who
already has a rating or certification from a national, regional, or state entity should be
allowed to have that certification substitute for the civil service examination.
(3) Examining the supervisor-to-staff ratios within each agency in the executive
branch to determine the appropriateness of such ratios and reporting annually to the State
Civil Service Commission, the division of administration, the Joint Legislative Committee
on the Budget, and the Commission on Streamlining Government as to the programs
examined, the current ratio, and the propriety of such ratio. The department should also
consider maintaining such information in the Integrated Statewide Information System or
its successor system.
(4) Annually reporting to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget regarding
the turnover rate in state agencies and the cost associated with such turnover, including
specific information on job classifications where the turnover rate is higher than average or
the cost to the state is great.
(5) Conducting exit interviews with employees who sever employment and
recording the reasons for the separation in the Integrated State Information System or other
personnel records system. The department should consider reporting to the State Civil
Service Commission, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and the Commission
on Streamlining Government regarding turnover rates, reasons for separation, any
recommendations the department may have for decreasing the turnover rate, and any other
information the department deems important to understanding employee turnover.
(6) Increasing the probationary period for new employees to the current two-year
maximum. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 77
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(7) Encouraging, in conjunction with the implementation of a new annual pay
increase system, a system of reward and recognition policies to provide employees with
rewards for outstanding performance, which may consist of monetary or nonmonetary
rewards.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in lieu of a copy sent via the United States Postal
Service, a copy of this Resolution be transmitted via electronic mail to the director of the
Department of State Civil Service and to the State Civil Service Commission.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE