HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5179

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 Passed House - Amended:

April 16, 2019

Title: An act relating to county electrical traffic control signals, illumination equipment, and other electrical equipment conveying an electrical current.

Brief Description: Concerning county electrical traffic control signals, illumination equipment, and other electrical equipment conveying an electrical current.

Sponsors: Senators Liias, King, Takko and Rolfes.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 4/1/19, 4/3/19 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House - Amended: 4/16/19, 98-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

(As Amended by House)

  • Increases the dollar amount limit from $10,000 to $40,000 for any one project involving certain electrical work that may be undertaken by county employees.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 30 members: Representatives Fey, Chair; Slatter, 2nd Vice Chair; Valdez, 2nd Vice Chair; Wylie, 1st Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Young, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boehnke, Chambers, Chapman, Doglio, Dufault, Entenman, Eslick, Goehner, Gregerson, Irwin, Kloba, Lovick, McCaslin, Mead, Orcutt, Ortiz-Self, Paul, Pellicciotti, Ramos, Riccelli, Shea, Shewmake and Van Werven.

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

A county may usually construct or improve any county road using regular employees of the county, subject to certain monetary limitations.

For counties with a population of 400,000 or more, the maximum annual cost of road construction projects undertaken by county employees may not exceed $3.25 million plus this same amount multiplied by the previous year's county motor vehicle fuel tax distribution factor (distribution factor). For counties with a population equal to or greater than 150,000 and less than 400,000, the maximum annual cost of road construction projects undertaken by county employees may not exceed $1.75 million plus this same amount multiplied by the previous year's distribution factor. For counties with a population equal to or greater than 30,000 and less than 150,000, the maximum annual cost of road construction projects undertaken by county employees may not exceed $1.25 million plus this same amount multiplied by the previous year's distribution factor. For counties with a population of less than 30,000, the maximum annual cost of road construction projects undertaken by county employees may not exceed $700,000 plus this same amount multiplied by the previous year's distribution factor.

Whenever the construction work or improvement is the installation of electrical traffic control devices, highway illumination equipment, electrical equipment, wires, or equipment to convey electrical current, in an amount exceeding $10,000 for any one project including labor, equipment, and materials, the work must be performed by contract.

Summary of Amended Bill:

The dollar amount limit is increased from $10,000 to $40,000 for any one project that may be undertaken by county employees that involves the installation of electrical traffic control devices, highway illumination equipment, electrical equipment, wires, or equipment to convey electrical current.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is an administrative efficiency bill. The current $10,000 limit was established in the 1980s, and now this limit can require a contract just to plug in certain equipment. It can also be difficult to even find a contractor in the current contracting climate.

The desire is to match the House version of the bill, so that the limit is raised to $40,000. Both of these bills were passed unanimously.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Liias, prime sponsor; and Jane Wall, Washington State Association of Counties.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.