Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
General Government Appropriations Committee |
HB 3175
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Transferring the office of minority and women's business enterprises into the department of commerce.
Sponsors: Representative Darneille.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/4/10
Staff: Alex MacBain (786-7288).
Background:
The Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) was created in 1983 with the statutory purpose of providing minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE) the maximum practicable opportunity for increased participation in public works contracts and public contracts for goods and services. Among other things, the OMWBE is required to:
develop and implement programs and a comprehensive plan to provide an opportunity for qualified MWBE to participate in public works and in supplying goods and services to state agencies and educational institutions;
identify barriers to equal participation by qualified MWBE in state agency and educational contracts;
establish annual overall goals for MWBE participation for each state agency and educational institution;
develop and maintain a central MWBE certification list for state agencies and educational institutions; and
submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature outlining the progress in implementing the program.
The OMWBE is the sole authority for certifying minority, women-owned, and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses for participation in public contracting programs. Only small business concerns, as defined by the OMWBE, may be certified.
Summary of Bill:
The Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) and its functions are transferred to the Department of Commerce to be an Office within the Department of Commerce. All materials held by the by the OMWBE related to its operation are transferred to the custody of the Department of Commerce. Employees of the OMWBE are transferred to the Department of Commerce without a loss of rights, subject to the civil service rules.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 2/3/2010.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on 7/1/2010.