SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2575

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Government Operations & Elections, February 22, 2010

Title: An act relating to the expansion of the membership of the capital projects advisory review board.

Brief Description: Expanding the membership of the capital projects advisory review board.

Sponsors: Representative Upthegrove.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/10/10, 63-33.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/22/10 [DP, w/oRec].

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; McDermott and Pridemore.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton and Swecker.

Staff: Sharon Swanson (786-7447)

Background: The Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB) was established in 2005 to evaluate public capital projects construction processes and to advise the Legislature on policies related to alternative public works delivery methods. Currently, there are 23 members on the CPARB.

The following Board members are appointed by the Governor:

• two representatives from construction general contracting;

• one representative from the architectural profession;

• one representative from the engineering profession;

• two representatives from construction specialty subcontracting;

• two representatives from construction trades labor organizations;

• one representative from the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises;

• one representative from a higher education institution;

• one representative from the Department of General Administration;

• two representatives from private industry; and

• one representative of a domestic insurer authorized to write surety bonds for contractors in Washington.

All appointed members must be actively engaged in or authorized to use alternative public works contracting procedures. Remaining members are selected as follows:

• three members representing local public owners, selected by the Association of Washington Cities, the Washington State Association of Counties, and the Washington Public Ports Association;

• one member, representing public hospital districts, selected by the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts;

• one member, representing school districts, selected by the Washington State School Directors' Association;

• two members of the House of Representatives, one from each major caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

• two members of the Senate, one from each major caucus, appointed by the President of the Senate.

Legislative members are non-voting.

Summary of Bill: Membership on the CPARB is expanded to 24 members. The additional member represents local public owners. Regional transit authorities are added as an entity that selects the local public owner representatives.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Sound Transit is a unique entity in Washington State. Sound Transit can provide a very valuable input with CPARB. Any policy recommendations put through by CPARB must be in compliance with federal regulations and Sound Transit can ensure that is the case. Sound Transit will create approximately 69,000 constructions jobs in the future. It makes sense that we have a place on CPARB.

CON: Adding to CPARB one group at a time is not good policy. There is no necessity for this bill. Sound Transit can participate in any task force created by CPARB and can attend meetings. This bill will simply increase the number needed for a quorum and a majority, and also creates an even number allowing for an even split of the committee. Sound Transit can already participate in the process, we don't need this bill to allow that.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Melanie Smith, Sound Transit.

CON: Larry Stevens, Mechanical Contractors Association, National Electrical Contractors.