SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6667

As of February 5, 2002

Title:  An act relating to agricultural products purchased for state institutions and state‑supported facilities.

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

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Swecker, Shin, Spanel, Gardner, Honeyford and Haugen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & International Trade:  2/6/02.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Staff:  Kim Johnson (786-7486)

Background:  The Department of General Administration develops and administers contracts for goods and services on behalf of state agencies, colleges and universities, select nonprofit organizations, and local governments.  Under current law, there are two groups of services and products that are given preferential treatment by the state when purchasing goods and services.  These groups include: (1) goods and services produced by inmate work programs; and (2) goods and services produced by sheltered workshops and programs.

Currently Washington and other states have in place what are known as reciprocity statutes and policies.  A reciprocity statute imposes a "tax" on goods or services that are being brought into a state from states which have statutes that provide for preferential treatment of their own in-state produced goods and services.

Summary of Bill:  The State Purchasing and Material Control Director must require that if available and competitively priced, Washington fruit, vegetables, and agricultural products must be purchased for use in state institutions and state-supported facilities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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