SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5550

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:

Commerce, Labor & Sports, February 15, 2017

Title: An act relating to authorizing state agencies and institutions of higher education to contract for services.

Brief Description: Authorizing state agencies and institutions of higher education to contract for services.

Sponsors: Senators Rossi, Baumgartner, Bailey, Braun, Brown, Honeyford, Wilson, Becker and Angel.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce, Labor & Sports: 2/06/17, 2/15/17 [DP, DNP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes state agencies and institutions of higher education to contract for services, including services customarily provided by state civil service employees.

  • Repeals the current law regarding competitive contracting for services customarily provided by state civil service employees.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, LABOR & SPORTS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Baumgartner, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; King, Rossi and Wilson.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Keiser, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Hasegawa and Saldaña.

Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)

Background: Competitive Contracting. A state agency or institution of higher education may contract out for services that are customarily provided by state civil service employees if:

There are several exceptions to the competitive contracting requirements, including:

Summary of Bill: Competitive Contracting. The current law with regard competitive contracting for services customarily provided by civil service employees is repealed.

Any state agency, department, or institution of higher education may purchase services, including services customarily and historically provided by state civil service employees, by contracting with individuals, nonprofit organizations, businesses, employee business units, or other entities.

No state agency, department, or institution of higher education may enter into, renew, extend, or allow the automatic extension of any collective bargaining agreement that restricts or modifies the authority of state agencies, departments, or institutions of higher education to contract for services.

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) must establish a process for identifying savings achieved by state agencies and institutions of higher education as a result of the new authority to contract for services. OFM must provide a report to the Governor and the Legislature biannually outlining the savings achieved as a result of contracting for services.

A provision specifying that state collective bargaining agreements could affect contracts authorized by the repealed law is removed.

Cross-references to the repealed law are corrected.

Referendum Clause. This act must be submitted by the Secretary State to the people for their adoption and ratification, or rejection, at the next general election held by the state.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: The bill is subject to a referendum clause.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The 2002 collective bargaining bill put limits on when agencies could contract for services done by state employees, which makes it difficult to contract for services. This bill ensures that the state gets the best value for its money with its contracts.

CON: The bill is unnecessary. Current law strikes a good balance between allowing state workers to compete but also saving the state money. There have been many instances of contracting out under the current law, and there is no need to change it. The bill denies state employees from showing they can do it cheaper and better.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Dino Rossi, Prime Sponsor. CON: Greg Devereux, WFSE; Adrienne Thompson, PTE 17; Bing Bristol.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.