HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 6598

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                  Government Administration

Title:  An act relating to filing of state‑funded personal service contracts.

Brief Description:  Regarding filing of state‑funded personal service contacts.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Horn, Haugen and T. Sheldon; by request of Office of Financial Management).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/25/98, 2/27/98 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Dunshee; Murray; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Staff:  Caroleen Dineen (786-7156).

Background:  Agencies generally must engage in a process of competitive solicitation before entering into personal service contracts with a value of at least $10,000.  State-funded personal service contracts subject to competitive solicitation requirements must be filed with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Committee (JLARC).  These contracts must also be made available for public inspection at least 10 working days before the proposed contract start date. 

The OFM must approve personal service contracts subject to competitive solicitation that provide services related to management consulting, organizational development, marketing, communications, employee training, and employee recruiting.

Summary of Bill:  Competitive contracts for services other than management consulting, organizational development, marketing, communications, employee training, and employee recruiting are effective on the date they are filed with OFM.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill is at the request of the State Auditor.  The current two-week waiting period creates a significant delay for certain contracts that are not subject to OFM approval.  The personal service contract requirements work well now, and the waiting period does not add a lot of value.  This will facilitate service contracting by making these contracts effective on the date of filing.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Susan Johnsen, Office of Financial Management.