SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1395

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Transportation, April 3, 2017

Title: An act relating to job order contracts and procedure.

Brief Description: Allowing public transportation benefit area authorities to use job order contracts and procedure.

Sponsors: Representatives Peterson and Koster.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/17, 96-2.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/29/17, 4/03/17 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes Public Transportation Benefit Areas to use job order contracting.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators King, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Hobbs, Ranking Minority Member; Liias, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cleveland, Fortunato, Hawkins, O'Ban, Saldaña, Takko, Van De Wege, Walsh and Wilson.

Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)

Background: Job Order Contracting. Job order contracting is a type of alternative public works contracting procedure.

The following public entities are authorized to use job order contracting:

Under a job order contract, a contractor agrees to perform an indefinite quantity of public works jobs, defined by individual work orders, over a fixed period of time. A public entity may not have more than two job order contracts in effect at any one time, except for the DES, which may have six contracts in effect. The maximum total dollar amount that is awarded under a job order contract may not exceed $4 million per year for a maximum of three years, except for counties with a population of more than 1 million; cities with a population of more than 400,000; and DES, which may award up to a maximum of $6 million per year for a maximum of three years.

Job order contracts may be executed for an initial contract term of two years, with an option to extend or renew the contract for an additional year, provided that any extension or renewal is priced as provided in the original proposal and is mutually agreed upon by the public body and the job order contractor. A job order contractor must subcontract 90 percent of the work under the contract and may self-perform 10 percent.

The alternative public works contracting procedures under chapter 39.10 RCW, including job order contracting, are scheduled to be repealed June 30, 2022.

Public Transportation Benefit Areas (PTBAs). PTBAs are the most common governance structure for transit agencies in Washington. They may be smaller or larger than a county, or include multiple counties. PTBAs are governed by a board of up to nine directors, selected from elected officials currently serving the local city and/or county. Most PTBAs have the authority to impose a voter-authorized sales tax of up to 0.9 percent within their boundaries to fund public transportation.

Summary of Bill: PTBAs are included in the list of entities that may use job order contracting.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Job order contracting allows government to be a little more efficient and streamlined. Ninety percent of the work is subcontracted out which is a great opportunity for small businesses. It provides better access for minority owned businesses. This bill is the same bill as already passed by the Senate.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Strom Peterson, Prime Sponsor; Michael Shaw, Washington State Transit Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.