BILL REQ. #:  H-1730.1 

Read first time 02/19/2003.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to directing the University of Washington to contract with private entities in the provision of student food services; adding a new section to chapter 28B.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 41.06 RCW; providing an effective date; providing expiration dates; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.20 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) It is the legislature's intent to conduct a pilot test to determine whether providing student food services through contracts with local restaurants, restaurant franchises, or other private food purveyors can be cost-effective and have a positive impact on student satisfaction with food services.
     (2) Beginning July 1, 2003, the board of regents of the University of Washington shall designate a portion of student food services to be provided through contracts under this section. The designated portion of student food services must be of a size sufficient to permit a valid comparison over at least a four-year period between contracted food services and food services provided directly by the university.
     (3) Using a competitive process in compliance with RCW 28B.10.029, the board shall contract with local restaurants, restaurant franchises, or other private food purveyors to provide the portion of student food services designated under subsection (2) of this section. The board shall structure the solicitation of contracts in such a way to permit multiple contractors to provide the student food services. The contracts under this section may not extend beyond June 30, 2008.
     (4) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall conduct a performance audit of the implementation of this section to determine whether the pilot test resulted in cost savings and had an impact on student satisfaction with food services and shall report to the legislature by December 1, 2007, on the results of the audit. The performance audit must include a student satisfaction survey.
     (5) This section expires July 1, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 41.06 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) This chapter does not prohibit the University of Washington from providing a portion of student food services through contracts with private entities as required under section 1 of this act.
     (2) This section expires July 1, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2003.