HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1633

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 Passed House:

March 8, 2013

Title: An act relating to modifying school district bidding requirements for improvement and repair projects.

Brief Description: Modifying school district bidding requirements for improvement and repair projects.

Sponsors: House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Magendanz, Haigh, Dahlquist, Santos, Pollet, Smith, Wylie, Takko, Angel, Clibborn, Condotta and Scott).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Capital Budget: 2/11/13, 2/25/13 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/8/13, 86-11.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill

  • Increases competitive bidding limits for school districts.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Stanford, Vice Chair; Warnick, Ranking Minority Member; Hawkins, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Fey, MacEwen, Riccelli, Smith and Stonier.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Scott.

Staff: Steve Masse (786-7115).

Background:

Competitive bidding is required for purchases, repairs, and improvements by state agencies and municipalities including school districts. Exceptions include:

School districts have the authority to make repairs and improvements, and make purchases without competitive bidding when the work or purchases of goods not including books are below $40,000. Purchases and repairs or improvements that are $40,000 or below may be performed by the school district.

Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill:

The limit for purchases, repairs, and improvements that require competitive bidding is increased from $40,000 to $60,000.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Small projects done by the school district may save the school money. Competitively bidding the small projects adds cost to the projects that the school district is capable of doing. Not all projects would be done by the district, but there are many that are small in nature and done easily without bidding.

(Opposed) Experienced contractors should perform repairs and improvements for the district. If there are problems with the work performed by the district it may cost the district more money to repair. This also means jobs for local contractors that should do the work.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Christian Dube, International Union of Operating Engineers; William Clark, Washington State School Directors' Association; Ray Vefik, Auburn School Board; Mitch Denning, Alliance of Education Assocations; and David Dumpert, North Kitsap School District.

(Opposed) Van Collins, Associated General Contractors; Larry Stevens, Mechanical Contractors Association; and Gary Smith, Independent Business Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.