(1) As used in this section: (a) "Department" means the Department of Government Operations, the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Workforce Services, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Financial Institutions, the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Insurance Department, the National Guard, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Public Safety, the Public Service Commission, the Labor Commission, the State Board of Education, the Utah Board of Higher Education, the State Tax Commission, and the Department of Transportation. (b) "Department head" means the individual or body of individuals in whom the ultimate legal authority of the department is vested by law. (2) There is created a department awards program to award an outstanding employee in each department of state government. (3) (a) On or before April 1 of each year, each department head shall solicit nominations for outstanding employee of the year for that department from the employees in that department. (b) On or before July 1 of each year, the department head shall: (i) select a person from the department to receive the outstanding employee of the year award using the criteria established in Subsection (3)(c); and (ii) announce the recipient of the award to the employees of the department. (c) Department heads shall make the award to an employee who demonstrates: (i) extraordinary competence in performing the employee's function; (ii) creativity in identifying problems and devising workable, cost-effective solutions; (iii) excellent relationships with the public and other employees; (iv) a commitment to serving the public as the client; and (v) a commitment to economy and efficiency in government. (4) (a) The division shall divide any appropriation for outstanding department employee awards that the division receives from the Legislature equally among the departments. (b) If a department receives money from the division or if a department budget allows, that department head shall provide the employee with a bonus, a plaque, or some other suitable acknowledgement of the award. (5) (a) A department head may name the award after an exemplary present or former employee of the department. (b) A department head may not name the award for oneself or for any relative as defined in Section 52-3-1.
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