S-4047               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6723

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Senators McDonald, Thorsness, Smith, Craswell, Saling, Johnson and Barr

Read first time 1/24/90 and referred to Committee on  Law & Justice.

AN ACT Relating to the use of inmate labor on capital construction projects; amending RCW 72.01.110; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 72.01.110, chapter 28, Laws of 1959 and RCW 72.01.110 are each amended to read as follows:

          The department may employ the services of competent architects for the preparation of plans and specifications for new buildings, or for repairs, changes, or additions to buildings already constructed, employ competent persons to superintend the construction of new buildings or repairs, changes, or additions to buildings already constructed and call for bids and award contracts for the erection of new buildings, or for repairs, changes, or additions to buildings already constructed((:  PROVIDED, That the department may proceed with the erecting of any new building, or repairs, changes, or additions to any buildings already constructed, employing thereon the labor of the inmates of the institution, when in its judgment the improvements can be made in as satisfactory a manner and at a less cost to the state by so doing)).  In the construction, repair, or modification of any structure or facility, the department shall employ exclusively the inmates of the state's correctional institutions unless the department certifies to the office of financial management that the inmates cannot perform the work in a satisfactory manner or at an equal or lower cost to the state.  The certification shall also be provided to the senate committee on ways and means and subcommittee on corrections and to the house of representatives committees on judiciary and capital facilities and financing.  The department shall report annually to these committees on the use of inmate labor on capital construction projects.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.