Office of the Secretary of State
| Annual FTEs | General Fund State | Other Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollars in Thousands) | ||||
| Estimated Expenditures | 281.3 | 29,348 | 64,521 | 93,869 |
| 2019-21 Maintenance Level | 285.3 | 42,187 | 62,628 | 104,815 |
| Difference from 2017-19 | 4.0 | 12,839 | (1,893) | 10,946 |
| % Change from 2017-19 | 1.4% | 43.7% | (2.9%) | 11.7% |
2019-21 Policy Other Changes |
||||
| Address Protection | 2.9 | 700 | 0 | 700 |
| Digital Archives Functionality | 0.0 | 0 | 391 | 391 |
| Microsoft LinkedIn Learning Academy | 0.30 | 1,890 | 0 | 1,890 |
| WA State Penitentiary Library | 0.0 | 258 | 0 | 258 |
| Nonprofit Outreach & Training | 0.0 | 0 | 227 | 227 |
| Election Reconciliation Reporting | 1.0 | 159 | 0 | 159 |
| Election Security Improvements | 0.0 | 396 | 500 | 896 |
| Prepaid Postage | 0.0 | 4,823 | 0 | 4,823 |
| Post-Election Audits | 2.0 | 116 | 0 | 116 |
| Facilities Maintenance and Staffing | 1.5 | 0 | 612 | 612 |
| Humanities Washington | 0.0 | 100 | 0 | 100 |
| TVW Equipment | 0.0 | 750 | 0 | 750 |
| 2019-21 Policy Other Changes Total | 7.7 | 9,192 | 1,730 | 10,922 |
2019-21 Policy Comp Changes |
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| State Public Employee Benefits Rate | 0.0 | 10 | 22 | 32 |
| WFSE General Government | 0.0 | 191 | 352 | 543 |
| State Rep Employee Benefits Rate | 0.0 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| Non-Rep General Wage Increase | 0.0 | 508 | 950 | 1,458 |
| Non-Rep Premium Pay | 0.0 | 0 | 128 | 128 |
| Non-Rep Targeted Pay Increases | 0.0 | 18 | 215 | 233 |
| Orca Transit Pass - Outside CBAs | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase | 0.0 | 16 | 30 | 46 |
| Non-Rep Salary Schedule Revision | 0.0 | 80 | 132 | 212 |
| 2019-21 Policy Comp Changes Total | 0.0 | 829 | 1,835 | 2,664 |
2019-21 Policy Transfers Changes |
||||
| Orca Transit Pass Funding Transfer | 0.0 | 0 | (20) | (20) |
| Health Coalition FSA Fund Transfer | 0.0 | (14) | (8) | (22) |
| 2019-21 Policy Transfers Changes Total | 0.0 | (14) | (28) | (42) |
2019-21 Policy Central Services Changes |
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| Archives/Records Management | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Audit Services | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Legal Services | 0.0 | 15 | 29 | 44 |
| CTS Central Services | 0.0 | (28) | (55) | (83) |
| DES Central Services | 0.0 | 41 | 80 | 121 |
| OFM Central Services | 0.0 | 76 | 150 | 226 |
| 2019-21 Policy Central Services Changes Total | 0.0 | 106 | 206 | 312 |
| Total Policy Changes | 7.7 | 10,113 | 3,743 | 13,856 |
| 2019-21 Policy Level | 293.0 | 52,300 | 66,371 | 118,671 |
| Difference from 2017-19 | 11.7 | 22,952 | 1,850 | 24,802 |
| % Change from 2017-19 | 4.2% | 78.2% | 2.9% | 26.4% |
Policy Changes
Address Protection
The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) provides a legal substitute address for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking or stalking, serving 4,600 clients, more than half of whom are children. Existing resources can no longer accommodate the gap between the needs of victims and the resources of the program. Additional funding and FTEs are provided to broaden access to ACP services by increasing the number of certified advocates statewide, strengthening interagency collaboration, solving critical issues that may deny program access or proper address use, and strengthening the security of the ACP's case management system.
Digital Archives Functionality
The Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) operates a digital archives system to securely preserve and maintain the state’s significant legal and historic electronic records in accordance with state law. The archives provide public access to its collections via the internet and ensure the long-term accessibility of state records through data migration. Funding is provided for the replacement of end-of-life equipment.
Microsoft LinkedIn Learning Academy
For the last three bienna, the Microsoft Imagine Academy has brought free access to high-quality online learning and Microsoft certification for all Washington residents. With the funding provided, the Office of the Secretary of State will continue the Microsoft Imagine Academy licensing into the 2019-21 biennium and expand the program to include certification of popular Adobe products. This includes accommodations for accessible and offline training, as well as certification for prison libraries and the Washington Talking Book & Braille library.
WA State Penitentiary Library
The State Library currently manages and operates branch libraries in nine state correctional facilities. Funding is provided to the Office of the Secretary of State to purchase library materials and equipment for the establishment of a branch library in the newly constructed program building at the Washington State Penitentiary. Library materials will be selected to reinforce institutional treatment programs and education, with particular emphasis placed on reentry resources for successful transition into the community. Federal Library Services and Technology Act grant funding will provide ongoing maintenance support to the library.
Nonprofit Outreach & Training
Nonprofit outreach and education activities at the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) are funded through a filing fee paid by charities and nonprofit entities. With additional expenditure authority, the OSOS will increase the grant funding available under the charitable organization and education program to enhance outreach efforts across the state, promote healthier nonprofit and charitable organizations, and enhance public trust when donating to these organizations.
Election Reconciliation Reporting
Per Chapter 300, Laws of 2017, the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) must compile county reconciliation reports, analyze the data, and complete an annual statewide election reconciliation report for every state primary and general election. The report must include reasons for ballot rejection and an analysis of the ways ballots are received, counted and rejected that can be used by policymakers to better understand election administration. One-time funding was provided for this work in fiscal year 2019, and this item will provide ongoing funding.
Election Security Improvements
In 2018, the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) received a $7,907,768 federal award through the Help America Vote Act to enhance election technology and make election security improvements. With the federal funding, the OSOS purchased monitoring sensors, security and event management software, upgraded firewalls, and additional multi-factor authentication for all key personnel with access to the centralized voter registration system before the 2018 general election. In the 2019-21 biennium, OSOS will create a Security Operations Center (SOC) and provide training, reviews, communication channels, and equipment tracking to enhance the security standards of the state's election system. Funding is provided for a 5 percent state match required by the federal award.
Prepaid Postage
The Governor and Secretary of State will propose legislation requiring the state to reimburse counties for the cost of return postage on mail and absentee ballots for all elections. Funding is provided to provide prepaid postage on all return envelopes for election ballots to improve access to voting for Washington citizens.
Post-Election Audits
Pursuant to Chapter 218, Laws of 2018, the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) must implement risk-limiting audit methods for county elections, including facilitating public observation and reporting requirements. Funding is provided to continue this work into the 2019-21 biennium by hiring a vendor to make changes to the risk-limiting audit application and hiring staff to observe county audit practices, test voting equipment and provide training.
Facilities Maintenance and Staffing
The Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) owns two units in the Ninth & Lenora Building located in Seattle. One unit houses the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, a program of the OSOS, and the other is an office space recently vacated by the Seattle Public Library. Funding is provided to reflect an anticipated increase in rent and utility costs, hire an additional FTE to maintain both units, and complete building improvements and ongoing maintenance.
Humanities Washington
Funding is provided to enhance community engagement in local and state issues by expanding the Humanities Washington Speaker's Bureau Community Conversations programming in underserved areas of the state. Funds will be passed through to Humanities Washington, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and will be matched on a 1:1 basis with federal and private dollars.
TVW Equipment
Funding is provided to outfit Room 172 of the Natural Resources building, the Department of Transportation's Nisqually conference room, and the new Utilities and Transportation Commission facility in Lacey with camera equipment. This equipment investment will allow TVW to more effectively provide televised access to public meetings such as the Fish and Wildlife Commission, Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Forest Practices Board, Transportation Commission, and Utilities and Transportation Commission meetings.
State Public Employee Benefits Rate
Health insurance funding is provided for state employees who are not represented by a union, who are covered by a bargaining agreement that is not subject to financial feasibility determination, or who are not part of the coalition of unions for health benefits. The insurance funding rate is $977 per employee per month for fiscal year 2020 and $978 per employee per month for fiscal year 2021.
WFSE General Government
Funding is provided for a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington Federation of State Employees - General Government. The agreement includes a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2019; a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2020; premium, shift, and other special pay changes, and increases in targeted job classifications. Employee insurance included in the agreement is displayed in a separate item.
State Rep Employee Benefits Rate
This provides health insurance funding as part of the master agreements for employees who bargain for health benefits as part of a coalition of unions. The insurance funding rate is $977 per employee per month for fiscal year 2020 and $978 per employee per month for fiscal year 2021.
Non-Rep General Wage Increase
Funding is provided for wage increases for state employees who are not represented by a union or who are covered by a bargaining agreement that is not subject to financial feasibility determination. It is sufficient for a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2019, and a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2020. This item includes both general government and higher education workers.
Non-Rep Premium Pay
Funding is provided for increases in premium pay for state employees who are not represented by a union or who are covered by a bargaining agreement that is not subject to financial feasibility determination. Funding is sufficient to support changes in shift differential, call back and standby pay, as well as a 5 percent increase for employees working in King County.
Non-Rep Targeted Pay Increases
Funding is provided for classified state employees who are not represented by a union for pay increases in specific job classes in alignment with other employees.
Orca Transit Pass - Outside CBAs
This funds transit passes (ORCA cards) for state employees (outside of higher education) in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, other than those in certain collective bargaining agreements.
PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase
For eligible Public Employees' and Teachers' Retirement Systems Plan 1 members, this item provides a one-time, ongoing increase of 3 percent, up to a maximum of $62.50 per month.
Non-Rep Salary Schedule Revision
This funds a revised salary schedule for non-represented employees in information technology jobs, in alignment with other state employees.
Orca Transit Pass Funding Transfer
This moves funding for employee transit passes from agencies to WSDOT, which administers the program. The transfer includes both funding added in 2019-21 for expanded access, as well as funding that was provided in the 2017-19 budget.
Health Coalition FSA Fund Transfer
This moves funding for negotiated medical flexible spending arrangements (FSA) from individual agency budgets. It will be provided to the Health Care Authority, which will administer the benefit.
Archives/Records Management
Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s allocated share of charges for the state archives and state records center.
Audit Services
Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s allocated share of charges for state government audits.
Legal Services
Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s anticipated share of legal service charges.
CTS Central Services
Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s allocated share of charges from the Consolidated Technology Services Agency (WaTech) for the Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Cyber Security, state network, security gateways, and geospatial imaging services.
DES Central Services
Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s allocated share of charges from the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for campus rent, utilities, parking, and contracts; a capital project surcharge; financing cost recovery; public and historic facilities; real estate services; risk management services; personnel service rates; the Perry Street child care center; and the department’s enterprise applications.
OFM Central Services
Agency budgets are adjusted to reflect each agency’s allocated share of charges from the Office of Financial Management (OFM) for the One Washington project and OFM enterprise systems.
