| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee | |
HB 2210
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Increasing state contracts with veteran-owned businesses.
Sponsors: Representatives Skinner, Campbell, Haler, Ahern, Warnick, Hailey, Bailey, Dunn and Pearson.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/25/08
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
State law provides for various programs or procedures to enable women and minorities to
effectively compete for contracts or services. Recently programs have been enacted to identify
businesses as veteran-owned in an effort to mitigate economic impacts incurred as a result of
military service.
In 2007 the Legislature enacted a bill requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to
develop and maintain a current list of veteran-owned businesses and to make that list available
on the DVA web site. The DVA also is required to create a decal to identify a business as
veteran-owned and distribute the decals to veteran-owned businesses.
To qualify as a veteran-owned business, the business must be 51 percent owned and controlled
by a veteran or an active or reserve member in any branch of the armed forces of the United
States, including the National Guard, Coast Guard, and Armed Forces Reserves.
Summary of Bill:
State agencies, including institutions of higher education, are required to award 5 percent of all
procurement contracts of purchases, personal services, public works, and leasing or renting that
are exempt from competitive bidding to certified veteran-owned businesses. State agencies are
also required to perform outreach to veteran-owned businesses, keep records of contracts
awarded to veteran-owned businesses, and report to the DVA by December 1, 2009, progress
made in implementing the requirements of the act.
Agency plans to insure that minority and women-owned firms have the maximum practicable
opportunity to compete for and obtain contracts for architectural and engineering services are
extended to include veteran-owned businesses.
The Department of Transportation is required to include veteran contractors in bids and awards
of contracts for the performance of work or furnishing equipment, materials, supplies, or
operating services whenever the estimated cost of the work does not exceed $100,000.
The DVA is required to develop a procedure to certify veteran-owned businesses and must report
to the Legislature by December 1, 2009 on implementation of the act. The DVA may adopt rules
to implement the act, including instructions to agencies regarding what information must be
reported to the DVA. The DVA is directed to collaborate with and assist agencies in
implementing outreach to veteran-owned businesses.
The act is not intended to create a cause of action or entitlement in an individual or class of
individuals.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 23, 2008.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.