Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
HB 1663
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: Removing the requirement that institutions of higher education purchase from correctional industries.
Sponsors: Representatives Parker, Ormsby, Probst, Billig, Schmick, Fagan, Angel and Ahern.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/3/11
Staff: Madeleine Thompson (786-7304).
Background:
As agencies of Washington, institutions of higher education are subject to various laws related to general administration that include purchasing of equipment. Under current law higher education institutions are required to purchase material, supplies, services, and equipment from the Department of Corrections (DOC) unless an institution of higher education can satisfactorily demonstrate to the director of the Office of Financial Management (OFM) that the cost of compliance is greater than the value of benefits.
In 2004, pursuant to E2SSB 6489, the Legislature added subsections (2) through (4) to RCW 28B.10.029. These subsections require:
OFM and State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to convene a correctional industries business development advisory committee and work collaboratively with correctional industries to reaffirm purchasing criteria, update the approved list of products that higher education institutions shall purchase, and develop recommendations on ways to continue to build correctional industries’ business with institutions of higher education.
Development of a plan to increase higher education institution purchases from the DOC. This plan was to be submitted to the Legislature by January 30th, 2005.
Targets for purchases of one percent by May 30th, 2006 and two percent by June 30th, 2006.
In 2009 OFM granted exemptions to all six public baccalaureate institutions and SBCTC (on behalf of the community and technical colleges) from purchasing at least 2% of their products from correctional industries.
In 2010 a cost benefit analysis conducted by OFM found that on average, higher education institutions purchase about 9% of their products from correctional industries.
Summary of Bill:
Higher education institutions are no longer required to seek an exemption from OFM with regards to purchasing from the DOC.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.