FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 1633

C 223 L 13

Synopsis as Enacted

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).

House Committee on Capital Budget

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

Background:

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

• emergency purchases;

• direct buy purchases as designated by the Department of Enterprise Services;

• sole source purchases;

• insurance and bonds required for risk management;

• purchases for vocational rehabilitation clients;

• purchases by universities for hospital operation or research purposes;

• purchases for resale by institutions of higher education when used for purposes of supporting instructional space; and

• certain Washington grown food.

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

Summary:

The threshold for repairs, improvements, and purchases that require competitive bidding is increased from $40,000 to $75,000.

Votes on Final Passage: