Authority: Discretionary Inclusion.

A. Transfers from this Item may be made to supplement general fund appropriations to state agencies for:

1. Adjusting base rates of pay;

2. Adjusting rates of pay for budgeted overtime of salaried employees;

3. Salary increases for positions with salaries listed elsewhere in this act;

4. Salary increases for locally elected constitutional officers and their employees;

5. Employer costs of employee benefit programs when required by salary based pay adjustments; and

6. Salary increases for local employees supported by the Commonwealth, other than those funded through appropriations to the Department of Education.

This appropriation provides for the compensation adjustments described in paragraphs C. through G., of this Item, subject to conditions stated in this Item.

B. Transfers from this Item may be made when appropriations to the state agencies concerned are insufficient for the purposes stated in paragraph A. of this Item, as determined by the Department of Planning and Budget and subject to guidelines prescribed by the Department. Further, the Department of Planning and Budget may transfer appropriations within this Item from the second year of the biennium to the first year, when necessary to accomplish the purposes stated in paragraph A. of this Item.

C. The base salary of employees listed in this paragraph shall be increased by 3.67% on November 25, 1998, for those employees set out in subparagraphs 1 through 4 of this paragraph, and on December 1, 1998, for those employees listed in subparagraph 5 of this paragraph. Transfers from this Item shall be used to effect this increase and related increases in employee benefits for:

1. Executive Department

a. Any official whose salary is listed in § 4-6.01 b. of this act:

2. Legislative Department

a. Secretaries and administrative assistants as provided for in Item 1, of this act;

3. Judicial Department

a. Judges and Justices in the Judicial Department;

4. Independent Agencies

a. Commissioners of the State Corporation Commission and the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission;

5. State-Supported Local Employees

a. Locally elected constitutional officers; and

b. General Registrars and members of local electoral boards.

D. The base salary of employees listed in this paragraph shall be increased by 2.25% on December 1, 1998. Transfers from this Item shall be used to effect this increase and related increases in employee benefits for:

1. Full-time employees of locally elected constitutional officers, not subject to a performance pay program in effect on February 1, 1998, and;

2. Full-time employees of Community Services Boards, Centers for Independent Living, Juvenile Block Grant Employees, Juvenile Delinquency prevention and local court service unit positions and local health departments where a memorandum of understanding exists with the Virginia Department of Health.

E. The Department of Personnel and Training shall increase the minimum and maximum salary for each grade within the Commonwealth's Classified Compensation Plan by one step (2.25%) on November 25, 1998. No salary increase shall be granted to any employee as a result of this action. Movement through the revised pay grades shall be based on employee performance, as set out in paragraph F. and G. of this Item. The Department shall develop policies and procedures to be used in instances where employees fall below the entry level for a job classification due to poor performance.

F. The base salary of listed employees, as set out in this paragraph, shall be increased based on an evaluation of performance. These performance-based increases shall be effective on November 25, 1998 for employees listed in subparagraphs 1 and 2 of this paragraph, and on December 1, 1998 for employees listed in subparagraph 3 of this paragraph. The performance-based salary increases provided for in this paragraph, shall be granted subject to rules and regulations to be developed by the Department of Personnel and Training, in conjunction with the Department of Planning and Budget, and shall be awarded on the following basis:

Transfers from this Item shall be used to effect this increase and related increases in employee benefits for:

1. Executive Department

a. Full-time employees of the Executive Department subject to the Virginia Personnel Act;

b. Full-time employees of the Executive Department not subject to the Virginia Personnel Act, except faculty at the institutions of higher education and officials elected by popular vote;

2. Independent Agencies

a. Full-time employees of the State Lottery Department, except sales and marketing staff, the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, and the Virginia Higher Education Tuition Trust;

3. State Supported Local Employees

a. Full-time employees of locally elected constitutional officers, subject to a performance pay program in effect on February 1, 1998;

G. The base salary of listed employees, as set out in this paragraph, shall be increased based on an evaluation of performance. These performance-based increases from 0 to 4.55% shall be effective on November 25, 1998 for employees listed in subparagraphs 1 through 4, of this paragraph. The performance-based salary increases provided for in this paragraph, shall be granted subject to the provisions of existing pay plans as set out in paragraph H., or comparable guidelines. Transfers from this Item shall be used to effect this increase and related increases in employee benefits for:

1. Executive Department

a. Any official whose salary is listed in § 4-6.01 c. and d. of this act;

b. Full-time professional staff of the Governor's Office, the Lieutenant Governor's Office, the Attorney General's Office, Cabinet Secretaries Offices, including the Deputy Secretaries, the Virginia Liaison Office and the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Office;

2. Legislative Department

a. Heads of agencies in the Legislative Department;

b. Full time employees in the Legislative Department, other than officials elected by popular vote;

3. Judicial Department

a. Heads of agencies in the Judicial Department;

b. Full time employees in the Judicial Department;

4. Independent Agencies

a. Full-time sales and marketing employees of the State Lottery Department, the State Corporation Commission, and the Virginia Retirement System;

H. The agency heads listed in this paragraph may, at their discretion, utilize the funds provided pursuant to paragraphs B., C., E., F., and G., of this Item, to implement the provisions of existing pay plans.

1. The heads of agencies in the Legislative and Judicial Departments;

2. The Commissioners of the State Corporation Commission and the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission;

3. The Attorney General;

4. The Director of the Virginia Retirement System;

5. The Director of the State Lottery Department, for sales and marketing personnel;

6. The Director of the University of Virginia Medical Center; and

7. The Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority.

I. The base salary of state and state supported local employees, including employees listed in paragraphs C, F and G of this Item, other than employees of local school divisions, shall be increased by 2.25% on November 25, 1999, and December 1, 1999, respectively. Those funds appropriated to support this increase for state classified employees may be used to implement changes in the classified pay plan as recommended by the Commission on Reform of the Classified Compensation Plan.

J. The base rates of pay, and related employee benefits, for wage employees shall be increased as provided for in paragraphs B and C., hereof. The cost of such increases for wage employees shall be borne by funds appropriated to each agency.

K. 1. Except as provided for in paragraph K.3., of this Item, agencies supported in whole or in part by nongeneral funds shall pay the proportionate share of costs, from nongeneral fund revenues, of wages, salaries, and employee benefits as stated in this Item, subject to rules and regulations prescribed by the Governing Authority.

2. Such nongeneral fund revenues and balances are hereby appropriated for this purpose, including those nongeneral fund revenues available to the colleges and universities, subject to the provisions of § 4-2.01.b., of this act.

3. Costs associated with the increases authorized in paragraph F., of this Item, for employees of Educational and General Programs at the institutions of higher education shall be borne by the general fund. Except, the Department of Planning and Budget shall withhold from transfer an amount equal to $2,301,225 the first year and $2,109,394 the second year associated with the tuition savings as a result of the Group Life Insurance "premium holiday."

L.1. Neither the Department of Planning and Budget nor the Department of Personnel and Training shall artificially constrain either the level of employee evaluation scores or the pay-outs as provided for in paragraph F. of this Item.

2. The Department of Planning and Budget shall make the transfers from this Item for the purposes of paragraph F. based on the actual distribution of employee evaluation levels in each respective agency. In the event that the funds provided are insufficient to cover the full cost of the salary increases authorized in this item, the Department of Planning and Budget may prorate the distribution of funds.

M. Institutions of higher education shall utilize funds provided in their appropriations for faculty salary increases based on merit.

N. State employees will receive a paycheck on July 3, 2000, for the work period June 10 to June 24, 2000.

O. Out of the amounts for compensation supplements shall be paid $4,135,833 the first year and $7,090,000 the second year for job class regrades for State Police Trooper I's, Trooper II's, Senior Troopers, Master Troopers and related job classes up to and including the rank of State Police Captain, effective November 25, 1998.

P. Out of the amounts for compensation supplements shall be paid $2,060,434 the first year and $2,060,434 the second year from the general fund to continue implementation of the salary plan for local Social Services employees pursuant to Item 375 B of Chapter 994, 1993 Acts of Assembly.

Q. Out of the amounts for compensation supplements shall be paid $1,450,515 the first year and $4,034,764 the second year for job class regrades for employees of the District Court Clerks effective November 25, 1998, and November 25, 1999.

R. Such funds as are currently appropriated for payment of the disability retirement component of contributions to the Virginia Retirement System for state employees who elect to participate in the state employee disability program authorized by SB 126 are hereby appropriated for payment of the cost of implementing the state employee disability program. The Department of Planning and Budget and the Virginia Retirement System shall issue such policies and procedures as are necessary to implement this provision.

S.1. a. There is hereby established the Commission on Reform of the Classified Compensation Plan. This Commission shall be comprised of four members of the Senate Finance Committee to be appointed by the Co-Chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee, four members of the House Appropriations Committee to be appointed by the Co-Chairmen of the House Appropriations Committee, and four members to be appointed by the Governor. Those members appointed by the Governor shall include: the Secretary of Finance and three persons who are the chief human resource officers of large private or public sector employers, and shall not be classified employees of the Commonwealth.

b. In carrying out its work, the Commission shall be supported by:

1. A technical advisory committee comprised of the chief human resource officers of the University of Virginia; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Virginia Commonwealth University; the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services; the Department of Corrections; the Department of State Police; the Department of Transportation; the Department of Taxation; the Director of the Department of Personnel and Training, or his designee; the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget, or his designee; and the staff of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees. The technical advisory committee shall develop a mechanism for involving other state agencies and classified employees in the redesign program.

2. An employee advisory committee comprised of classified state employees. The number and composition of this employees advisory committee may vary based on the Commission's assessment of need.

c. With the assistance of the technical advisory committee, the Commission shall implement a communications program to inform classified state employees and agency managers of its work.

2. The classified pay plan reforms recommended by the Commission shall provide for:

a. A statewide compensation program that provides flexibility to meet state workforce needs;

b. Performance-based salary increases;

c. A stable funding mechanism;

d. A revised means of gauging the competitiveness of state classified salaries and employee benefits; and

e. A clear definition of the roles of the Department of Personnel and Training, and state agencies in the administration of the new classified pay plan.

3. The classified pay plan recommended by the Commission may provide for:

a. Multiple pay plans based on broad occupational classes;

b. A team approach to performance increases, where appropriate;

c. The elimination of fixed steps, where appropriate;

d. The use of alternative rewards; and

e. Other modern compensation features, as deemed appropriate for a large, multi-site employer.

4. Out of the amounts appropriated for Compensation Supplements an amount not to exceed $200,000 shall be paid the first year for the redesign of the classified employee pay plan. These funds shall be transferred to such agencies and expended as directed by the Commission provide; however, that the use of consulting services shall be authorized only in cases where existing state expertise is inadequate.

5. The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees by October 1, 1998.

T.1. The Department of Personnel and Training shall continue those pilot programs that were in effect on January 1, 1998.

2. The Department of Personnel and Training may approve pilot compensation programs within agencies that support the redesign of the classified compensation plan, as directed in paragraph L. of this Item. Such pilot programs shall be funded from existing agency appropriations or from funds provided for increases specified in paragraph C of this Item, or a combination of both. A report on such pilot programs shall be made to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by October 1, 1998. The Secretary of Administration shall approve any change in compensation plans based on pilot programs, prior to their implementation.