8A.110 - STATE EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION SYSTEM.
8A.110 STATE EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION SYSTEM.
1. There is created a state employee suggestion system for the
purpose of encouraging state employees to develop and submit ideas
which will reduce costs and increase efficiency in state government
and which will make monetary and other awards to state employees
whose cost reduction ideas are adopted under the system.
2. The department shall provide necessary personnel for the
efficient operation of the system. The department shall adopt rules
as necessary for the administration of the system and to establish
the award policy under which the system will operate. The rules
shall include:
a. Eligibility standards and restrictions for both the state
employee submitting the suggestion and the suggestion being
submitted. The rules shall provide that suggestions relating to
academic affairs, including teaching, research, and patient care
programs at a university teaching hospital, are ineligible.
b. Procedures for submitting and evaluating suggestions,
including the responsibilities of each person involved in the system
and providing that the final decision to implement shall be made by
the director of the applicable state agency.
c. The method of presentation of awards to employees.
d. The method of promoting the suggestion program in the
broadest possible manner to state employees.
e. Any other policies necessary to properly administer the
system.
3. a. When a suggestion is implemented and results in a
direct cost reduction within state government, the suggester shall be
awarded ten percent of the first year's net savings, not exceeding
ten thousand dollars, and a certificate. A cash award shall not be
awarded for a suggestion which saves less than one hundred dollars
during the first year of implementation. The state agency head shall
approve all awards and determine the amount to be awarded. Appeals
of award amounts shall be submitted to the director whose decision is
final.
b. Certificates shall be awarded to suggesters of implemented
suggestions that result in a direct cost reduction of less than one
hundred dollars. The state agency head shall make the determination
as to who will receive certificates. That decision is final.
4. An award made pursuant to this section shall be paid for out
of the appropriated funds of the state agency realizing the cost
savings, but the payment for awards shall not violate any state or
federal contract, law, or regulation, or impair any agency
contractual obligation.
5. a. A state agency shall keep records of each suggestion
implemented and the cost savings resulting from the suggestion for a
period of one year from the date of implementation of the suggestion.
b. The director shall file a report with the governor and the
general assembly for each fiscal year, relating to the administration
and implementation of the suggestion system and the benefits for the
state, the state departments, and state employees.
6. The ability of employees to patent ideas submitted under this
section is subject to all other agency rules and Code requirements
pertaining to patents. Section History: Recent Form
2003 Acts, ch 145, §10
Referred to in § 15.108