Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
State Government Committee

HB 2657

Brief Description:  Requiring the purchase of Washington grown commodities for state institutions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Hunt, Armstrong, Linville, Schoesler, O'Brien, Holmquist, Chase, Roach, Ogden, Clements, Cox, Mulliken, Barlean, Sehlin, Conway and Rockefeller.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Required state institutions and state‑supported facilities to purchase Washington fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products if available and competitively priced.

Hearing Date:  2/5/02

Staff:  Bree Ramage (786‑7617).

Background:

The director of the Department of General Administration (GA), through the state purchasing and material control director purchases material, supplies, services and equipment needed for use in state institutions, colleges and departments.  Alternatively, an agency may purchase material, supplies, services, and equipment directly from a vendor if the agency notifies the purchasing and material control director that it is more cost‑effective.  The purchasing and material control director may also delegate to state agencies authorization to purchase or sell materials, supplies, services, and equipment, within a specified dollar amount.

With some exceptions and to the extent feasible, all purchases and sales must be based on competitive bids following a formal sealed bid procedure.

Washington law requires that the state exercise reciprocity with those states having in‑state preferences.  The GA director must compile a list of each state's statutes and regulations creating preferences to vendors located within that state or goods manufactured within that state.  The director must adopt rules to exercise reciprocity in bidding between Washington and those states granting preferences to in-state vendors and goods.  Through policy and procedures, the GA has established a schedule of penalties applicable against firms submitting bids from states which grant a preference to their own in‑state businesses.

Summary of Bill:

The director of th GA, through the state purchasing and material control director, must require that Washington fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products be purchased for state institutions and state‑supported facilities if available and competitively priced.

This bill includes an intent section.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 30, 2002.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.