SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1841
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 Reported by Senate Committee On:
Governmental Operations, February 27, 2014
Title: An act relating to electronic competitive bidding for state public works contracting.
Brief Description: Authorizing electronic competitive bidding for state public works contracting.
Sponsors: House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Stonier, Warnick, Dunshee, Morrell, Ryu and Freeman; by request of Department of Enterprise Services).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/09/13, 97-0; 2/17/14, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Governmental Operations: 3/21/13 [DP]; 2/25/14, 2/27/14 [DP, DNP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Hasegawa, Ranking Member; Conway, McCoy and Rivers.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Dansel.
Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)
Background: State agencies enter into public works contracts with the low responsive bidder after competitive bidding is done on public work projects. Contractors wishing to bid on a public works project must deliver the bid in paper form to the bid location provided by the state agency.
Electronic bidding is the electronic transfer of proposed bidding data between the state agency and contractors bidding on public works projects. Electronic signatures are currently used by the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for the bidding and purchase of goods and services.
The Office of the Chief Information Officer was created within the Office of Financial Management by the Legislature in 2011. Among the duties of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is the establishment of standards and policies for the consistent and efficient operation of information technology services throughout state government.
Summary of Bill: Electronic signatures are authorized on public works bidding documents for state agencies. The CIO must develop policies for using electronic signatures in public works contracts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
Testimony From 2013 Regular Session.
PRO: This bill allows contractors to be able to submit their bids and signatures online to state agencies when bidding on public works projects. It will be a cost-saving measure for contractors to be able to submit bids online. This bill represents an opportunity to move public bidding forward into the 21st century.
Testimony From 2014 Regular Session.
PRO: This bill is about efficiency. There are 37 other states that accept electronic signatures for public works projects and they have not had any issues with it. This bill offers greater opportunity for government transparency as DES will quickly be able to post bid documents and contracts to the DES website as they will already be in electronic form so the public can sooner know how their taxes are being spent.
Persons Testifying:
Persons Testifying From 2013 Regular Session.
PRO: Representative Stonier, prime sponsor; Bill Phillips, DES.
Persons Testifying From 2014 Regular Session.
PRO: Arlen Harris, Farrell Presnell, DES.