SENATE 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 Amended by House, 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.

Committee Activity: Local Government: 1/22/19 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/25/19, 48-0.Passed House: 4/16/19, 98-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

Removes a provision requiring counties to contract for certain electrical projects that cost more than $10,000.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Takko, Chair; Salomon, Vice Chair; Short, Ranking Member; Honeyford and Liias.

Staff: Bonnie Kim (786-7316)

Background: Generally, a county may construct or improve any county road using its county forces or regular employees. For counties with a population of 400,000 or more, the maximum annual cost of road construction projects may not exceed $3,250,000 multiplied by the previous year's county motor vehicle fuel tax distribution factor (distribution factor). For counties with a population of between 150,000 and 400,000, the maximum annual cost of road construction projects may not exceed $1,750,000 multiplied by the previous year's distribution factor. For counties with a population of between 30,000 and 150,000, the maximum annual cost of road construction projects may not exceed $1,250,000 multiplied by the previous year's distribution factor. Counties with a population of less than 30,000 may perform projects of up to $80,000 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 Bill: Counties need no longer contract for projects that exceed $10,000 and involve 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.

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: This is an administrative efficiency bill. Some projects involve equipment that costs more than $10,000. Counties already have overall limits on county forces work. This is the only statute that requires public works for counties.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Marko Liias, Prime Sponsor; Jane Wall, Washington State Association of Counties.

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

EFFECT OF HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

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 forces.