HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1129

Changing public works provisions for

institutions of higher education.

Brief Title                              Hearing Date: 2/12/99

Reps. Schoesler, Hankins and Chandler, G.  Staff: Steve Lundin

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7127

BACKGROUND:

A state university or four-year state college may have its public employees perform a public works project with a value of less than $25,000 or may put these public works projects out to public bid.  Public work projects above that dollar amount must be put out to public bid.  This dollar threshold is referred to as a day labor limit.

Four-year state universities and colleges may establish a small works roster to award contracts for public works projects with a dollar value of less than $100,000.  Under this modified competitive bidding process, the university or college secures quotations from at least five contractors on the small works roster and awards the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.

SUMMARY:

The day labor limit for public works projects by a state university or four-year state college is increased from $25,000 to $50,000 and only applies to the cost of labor on such a project.

The $100,000 maximum dollar value of a public works project that may be awarded by a state university or four-year state college using a small works roster only applies to the cost of labor on the public works project.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.