HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 2591

                      As Passed House:

                      February 13, 1998

Title:  An act relating to prohibiting state agencies from soliciting vendors and contractors to lobby the legislature.

Brief Description:  Forbidding state agencies from requesting vendors to lobby the legislature.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Government Administration (originally sponsored by Representatives Dyer, D. Schmidt, Clements, L. Thomas, Lisk, Zellinsky, Huff, B. Thomas and Schoesler).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  1/30/98, 2/6/98 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/13/98, 60-37.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Dunn; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas and Wensman.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 6 members:  Representatives Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunshee; Murray and Wolfe.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  State agencies may purchase materials, supplies, and equipment from vendors and may enter into contracts for services, construction or maintenance.

Summary of Bill:  An employee or official of a state executive agency may not use state resources to demand or pressure a vendor or contractor, from whom the agency makes purchases or contracts for services or construction, to lobby or contact the Legislature regarding proposed or pending legislation where the communications with the vendor or contractor is explicitly or implicitly coercive in nature and the vendor or contractor fears a loss of contracts or interference with contractual relationships if the vendor or contractor fails to lobby or make legislative contacts.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The restrictions do not apply to state elected officials.  The prohibited contact between the agency personnel and vendor or contractor only applies to contacts that are coercive where the vendor or contractor fears a loss of contracts of interference with contractual relationships for failing to lobby or make the legislative contacts.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Several contractors have communicated with me that they were so intimidated.  They fear reprisals if they are identified.  This is totally improper.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Dyer, prime sponsor.