Assembly committee approves bill that would overhaul state's civil service system

MADISON— An Assembly committee has signed off on a Republican bill that would overhaul the state's civil service system.

The measure would speed up the hiring process with a goal of filling vacancies within 60 days, eliminate applicant exams, eliminate bumping rights and define just cause for taking discipline against an employee. It also would eliminate a requirement that applicants indicate whether they've been convicted of a crime.

The Assembly state affairs committee approved the measure 8-5 on Wednesday morning. The vote clears the way for a full vote in the chamber.

The bill's fate is unclear, however. Sen. Steve Nass, a Whitewater Republican who leads the Senate labor committee, has introduced his own version of the bill that retains the conviction check-off. His committee is slated to meet Wednesday afternoon.