Speaker 3: Agenda Item 15 Council Bill 11983893 related to the Seattle Whistleblower Protection Code, expanding the definition of reports and the city's Whistleblower Protection Ordinance to include reporting to the Office of Inspector General for Public Safety and Money. Section 4.20 .805 of the Council of the Committee recommends the bill passed.
Speaker 0: Thank you so much. Councilmember Herbold is chair of the committee. You are recognized in order to provide the report on this item. Thank you again. This bill amends the whistleblower protection cloak code to provide whistleblower protection to employees who report improper government actions to the Office of the Inspector General by amending the definition of report in the Whistleblower Protection Code. It's in the public interest to encourage public employees to report instances of improper governmental action in order to give the governmental entity the opportunity to correct improper governmental actions. And the most effective way to encourage public employees to report improper governmental actions is to provide an effective whistleblower protection program that includes a clear reporting process and effective protection from retaliation. In committee last week, the Office of the Inspector General noted that situations have arrived or have arisen in the previous work of the Office of the Inspector General that led to this legislation, namely people wanting to come forward to report improper governmental action to the Office of the Inspector General and finding that they did not have whistleblower protection. This legislation, in addition to granting protection to complaints directed to the Office of the Inspector General, also updates the title of the OPA from Office of Professional Accountability to the Office of Police Accountability. Office of of I'm sorry, the the Office of Ethics and Elections Director Wayne Barnette was present in committee last week as well, and he has indicated his support to this legislation. Like so much. Councilmember Herbals Are there any additional comments on the bill? Hearing no additional comments on the bill. Will the Court please call the roll on the passage of the bill? Madam Clerk, you may be muted.
Speaker 3: Councilmember Morales. Councilmember Morales. That's. Council members gather.
Speaker 0: I. Councilmember Peterson.
Speaker 4: Yeah. I mean, I.
Speaker 3: Have some members, so I.
Speaker 2: Yes.
Speaker 3: Councilmember Strauss.
Speaker 4: Yes.
Speaker 0: Something of a hurdle. Yes. Councilmember Juarez I council member Lewis.
Speaker 4: Yes.
Speaker 0: And Council President Gonzalez i9a favor.
Speaker 3: And then opposed.
Speaker 0: The bill passes and the chair will sign it. Will the clerk please affix my signature to the legislation? Okay. Report of the Finance and Housing Committee Item 16 Will the clerk please read the short title of item 16 into the record?
Speaker 3: Count capital 1198762 relating to. The Transportation network companies driver.
AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle whistleblower protection code; expanding the definition of “report” in the City of Seattle’s whistleblower protection ordinance to include reporting to the Office of Inspector General for Public Safety; amending Section 4.20.805 of the Seattle Municipal Code.