SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5662

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.

As of February 12, 2011

Title: An act relating to establishing a preference for resident contractors on public works.

Brief Description: Establishing a preference for resident contractors on public works.

Sponsors: Senators Conway, Chase, Kline, Shin, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, White, Roach, Hobbs, Nelson, Prentice, Haugen and Fraser.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection: 2/15/11.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & CONSUMER PROTECTION

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

Background: Contracts for public works projects are generally awarded to the responsible bidder submitting the lowest responsive bid. A responsible bidder must be licensed; have a current state unified business identifier number; if applicable; have industrial insurance coverage for the bidder's employees working in Washington, an Employment Security Department number, and a state excise tax registration number; and not be disqualified from bidding based on noncompliance with licensing requirements, state apprenticeship requirements, or prevailing wage violations.

Summary of Bill: Resident contractors are given a preference of 7 percent by the state or municipality when determining lowest responsible bidder.

A resident contractor is a contractor certified by the Department of General Administration (GA) as:

GA is to develop application forms for contractors seeking certification as resident contractors. Contractors meeting the resident contractor qualification criteria are issued a certification number, which can be revoked when the contractor no longer meets the qualifications of a resident contractor.

A contractor that is awarded a public works contract based on a resident contractor preference secured with false information is subject to:

Contractors that knowingly, and with intent to defraud, make a false statement, fail to provide, or conceal any material information for the purpose of obtaining a resident contractor preference are subject to a civil penalty of $10,000 or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever is greater.

A contractor subject to sanction may request a hearing within 30 days. The Attorney General may recover final assessments or penalties from contractors who fail to pay.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 9, 2011.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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