COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

 Rep. Don Carlson, Republican Co-Chair; and

Rep. Phyllis Kenney, Democratic

BILL ANALYSIS C SB 6025

Brief Description:  Allowing purchases for resale by institutions of higher education without using the competitive bid process.

Background:

Colleges purchase goods for resale to support a variety of instructional programs and college enterprise activities.  In instructional programs, these goods are used to provide training for students and service to the public.  In some programs the purchasing process is a part of the learning process.

For a number of years, higher education institutions have operated as though exempt from compliance with the competitive bid requirements that apply to purchases of goods for resale.

A question from the State Auditor's Office prompted a review of the statutes.  As a result of that review, it was determined that these purchases are not currently exempt from competitive bid requirements.

Summary of bill:

Purchases by institutions of higher education for resale to other than public agencies are made exempt from the competitive bid process.

Prepared for the House Higher Education Committee

by Sherie Story, Research Analyst (786-7120)

Office of Program Research

March 25, 1999