NASHVILLE - Gov. Bill Haslam's plan to overhaul state civil service rules is headed to him to become law.

The proposal passed the Senate 30-3 on Thursday, a day after being approved 74-19 in the House.

The measure would make it easier for executive branch employees to be hired and fired and would allow for merit raises for high-performing workers - and pay decreases for poor ones.

Other elements of the bill would require written performance standards and annual evaluations, set a minimum of three candidates to be interviewed for openings and reduce the minimum layoff notice from three months to 30 days.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.