Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Information Technology |
HB 2307
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: Concerning the minority and women's business enterprises account.
Sponsors: Representatives Tarleton, Ryu, Riccelli and Santos.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/29/14
Staff: Derek Rutter (786-7157).
Background:
The OMWBE.
The Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) was created in 1983 with the statutory purpose of providing Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises with the opportunity for increased participation in public works contracts and public contracts for goods and services. The OMWBE is the sole authority for certifying minority, women-owned, and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses throughout the State of Washington. The programs for which the OMWBE certifies businesses include:
the Washington State Minority and Women's Business Enterprise Program;
the Department of Transportation (DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program; and
the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Concessionaire DBE program.
Penalties.
The OMWBE is authorized to impose and collect penalties from contractors who participate in prohibited activities. These activities include (but are not limited to):
submitting fraudulent information or applications for certification to the OMWBE;
obstructing or impeding investigations of firms applying for certification; and
fraudulently receiving public money designated for certified firms.
Penalty receipts, if collected, are credited to the State General Fund.
The Minority and Women's Business Enterprises Account.
The Minority and Women's Business Enterprises Account (Account) is established in statute. Expenditures from the Account may be used only after appropriation and authorization by the OMWBE's director (or the director's designee) for the purposes of defraying all or part of the costs of administering the OMWBE's statutory obligations.
Summary of Bill:
Receipts from penalties imposed by the OMWBE are deposited in the minority and women's business enterprises account.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.