HOUSE BILL REPORT
EHB 2684
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:
February 14, 2014
Title: An act relating to time period and monetary limits on ferry vessel and terminal work by state forces.
Brief Description: Removing time period limitations on ferry vessel and terminal work by state forces.
Sponsors: Representatives Walkinshaw, Zeiger and Young; by request of Department of Transportation.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 2/4/14, 2/6/14, 2/10/14 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/14/14, 55-41.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 19 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Farrell, Vice Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Moscoso, Vice Chair; Bergquist, Fitzgibbon, Freeman, Habib, Hawkins, Moeller, Morris, Ortiz-Self, Riccelli, Ryu, Sells, Takko, Tarleton, Walkinshaw and Zeiger.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Overstreet, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hayes, Klippert, Kochmar, Muri, Pike, Rodne, Shea and Young.
Staff: Paul Ingiosi (786-7114).
Background:
The Washington State Ferries (WSF) division of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) operates and maintains ferry vessels and terminals, constructs terminals, and acquires vessels. The system serves eight Washington counties and one Canadian province through 22 vessels and 20 terminals.
As part of the marine highway system, the WSF is subject to a $60,000 limit on work that can be performed by state forces on state highways. In 2010 the Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 3209 which temporarily increased that amount to $120,000 from March 15, 2010, through June 30, 2011. In the 2011-13 Transportation Budget (ESHB 1175) that time period was extended through June 30, 2013.
Under current law, the WSF is again subject to the $60,000 limit on work that can be performed by state forces on state highways.
Summary of Engrossed Bill:
The bill would increase the dollar threshold for work that may be performed on ferry vessels and terminals by state forces from $60,000 to $120,000.
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) The bill would enable Eagle Harbor maintenance facility staff to do a series of projects that can be done more efficiently and at less cost than contracting out. Subcontracting projects out can create additional time delays, increase the cost of construction, and incur more costs on the system. The WSF saw approximately $60,000 in savings for work done by state forces as compared to contracting out for the exact same work on the exact same class of vessels. The WSF has identified a number of projects that could see savings from the change from up to $400,000 on vessel work and $225,000 on terminal work. The idea for the bill came out of labor and management cooperation. The Eagle Harbor maintenance facility has been a model for the public and private sector on workplace cooperation regarding saving money, saving at least hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. The bill will save even more money going forward.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Walkinshaw, prime sponsor; David Moseley, Washington State Department of Transportation; and Gordon Baxter, Puget Sound Metal Trades Council, Marine Engineers Beneficial Organization, and Masters, Mates, and Pilots.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.