In the six weeks since Gov. John Kitzhaber ordered a hiring freeze, state agencies have requested more than 1,200 exceptions.

Using criteria that put protecting health and safety as the No. 1 priority, the panel approved the Department of Forestry's request for 430 seasonal firefighters. 

The Transportation Department also got a green light to add snowplow drivers after the agency pointed out that "employees can only work so many overtime hours before they become fatigued and exhausted." 

The Department of Energy desperately wants to hire a leader for its Energy Policy Division. The position, with an annual salary ranging from $69,072 to $101,880, has been vacant since July. In a memo, Energy officials argue that the executive is needed to meet the governor's priorities, including a 10-year-energy strategy and the "Cool Schools" initiative for making school buildings more energy efficient. The committee denied the request. Twice.

Read more at OregonLive.com.