Civil service legislative panel offers report

The final report issued in late March by the Special Legislative Commission to Study and Examine the Civil Service Law includes a recommendation to extend the panel’s charge through the 2023-24 legislative session.

An amendment to extend the commission’s work through 2024 was adopted in the House’s version of the fiscal 2023 state budget, but the Senate did not adopt a similar amendment during its budget debate. An extension of the commission’s work will now be one of many outside sections to be considered during House-Senate budget negotiations in June.

The special commission’s report includes several policy recommendations, including:
• Lowering barriers to the civil service exam fee waivers
• Adjusting the formula for entry-level certifications (2n+1)
• Supporting cadet programs
• Increasing the Civil Service Commission budget and enhancing its authority
• Examining amendments to Chapter 31A, which provides a local option for full decentralization of existing civil service responsibilities, among many other policy recommendations
• Supporting diversity scholarship models

The 29-member special commission was established by Chapter 253 of the Acts of 2020, known as the Policing Reform Law. The commission was charged with studying the employment, promotion, performance evaluation and disciplinary procedures for civil service employees and for municipalities not subject to the civil service law, and the procedures of the Department of State Police.

The panel has been co-chaired by Sen. Michael Brady and Rep. Ken Gordon, who also co-chair the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Service.

Speaking with reporters at the report’s release, Gordon said the report could show “where we are, highlight some of the issues, and provide guidance as to where we think we need to continue to go.”

Gordon also mentioned interest in analyzing local municipal data, particularly in terms of diversity and looking at peer communities.

For more information, contact MMA Legislative Director Dave Koffman at dkoffman@mma.org.