H-1491.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1977

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Lantz, Miloscia, Dunshee and Wolfe

Read first time 02/12/1999.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

Enhancing accountability of public works contractors.

    AN ACT Relating to public works contractor accountability; and adding a new section to chapter 47.46 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 47.46 RCW to read as follows:

    Any agreement or contract and any private or public entity that enters into an agreement or contract with the department to implement any provision of this chapter is subject to all laws and statutes applicable to public entities performing similar activities, including, but not limited to, audit by the state auditor under chapter 43.09 RCW, prohibitions on the use of its facilities for campaign purposes under RCW 42.17.130 and 42.52.180, public inspection and copying of records to the same extent as if the records were public records under chapter 42.17 RCW, requirements for open public meetings as if any private contractor were a public agency under chapter 42.30 RCW, and employee whistleblower protection under chapter 42.40 RCW.  Any information gained by a private entity as a result of any agreement or contract authorized by this chapter may not be sold or transferred to another private or public entity or used by the private entity for purposes other than those strictly related to performing the services under the contract, without express statutory authority.

                            --- END ---