SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6175

BYSenators Craswell, Smitherman, Lee, Anderson and Johnson

Providing that information on all state agency bid requests be available to businesses.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 17, 1990; January 23, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6175 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McMullen, Matson, Murray, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Jack Brummel (786-7428)

                  January 23, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, JANUARY 23, 1990

BACKGROUND:

State agencies are required to publish bid requests.  There is no single source of information to businesses on all state agencies' requests for bids; however, the federal government has a subscription service which provides a listing of all federal bid requests.

SUMMARY:

The Business Assistance Center (BAC) of the Department of Trade and Economic Development will operate a clearinghouse of bid request information from state agencies.  Bid information will be made available electronically and may be made available through the mail.  The BAC will market the service and may charge a fee to offset its expenses.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The appropriation of $50,000 is deleted.  Agencies sending bid information to the Business Assistance Center must do so in a manner prescribed by the Center, electronically or on a computer disk where possible.  The requirements of agencies contained in the bill are removed from RCW 43.19.1908 and placed in a new section to Chapter 43.19 RCW.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      requested January 9, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Ellen Craswell (pro); Gary Smith, IBA (pro); Jim Portch, Y Pay Mor Cleaners (pro); Rich Paulson, DTED (pro)