Brief Description: Extending employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Sponsors: By Representatives Miloscia, McDermott, Moeller and Kenney.

House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability
Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development

Background:

State agencies may purchase goods and services totaling $3,000 without any bid procedures. Purchases between $3,000 and $35,000 may be made by obtaining a quote from at least three vendors. Purchases in excess of $35,000 generally must be made through competitive bid procedures.

In 2003, the Legislature enacted a policy meant to enhance employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities by requiring state agencies to include a vendor in good standing in the bid procedures required for purchases in excess of $3,000. A vendor in good standing is defined as a community rehabilitation program or a business owned and operated by persons with disabilities that has not had a breach of contract due to quality or performance issues and has achieved or made progress in enhancing employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities.

The legislation requires that an advisory subcommittee appointed by the Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment verify that entities seeking to qualify as vendors in good standing have achieved or made progress toward enhancing employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities. It further requires the Department of General Administration and the advisory subcommittee to prepare and issue a report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31, 2006, describing the effect of this program on enhancing employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities.

These provisions expire December 31, 2007.

Summary:

The expiration date for the program enacted in 2003 to enhance employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities is changed from December 31, 2007, to December 31, 2009. The report required from the advisory subcommittee and the Department of General Administration is due to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31, 2008.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   97   0
Senate   46   0

Effective: July 24, 2005