SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1073

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           State & Local Government, March 22, 1999

Title:  An act relating to alternative bid procedures for public hospital districts.

Brief Description:  Changing alternative bid processes for public hospital districts.

Sponsors:  Representatives D. Schmidt and Romero; by request of Alternative Public Works Methods Oversight Committee.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  3/18/99, 3/22/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn, Kline and McCaslin.

Staff:  Sharon Swanson (786-7445)

Background:  Public hospital districts may use the small works roster process in lieu of the sealed bid process to award contracts for certain public works projects, normally of a medium level dollar value.  Current hospital district law permits contracts in excess of $50,000 to be awarded using the small works roster process.

The small works roster process, as defined in RCW 39.04.155, is a single roster that a hospital district maintains of all responsible contractors that request to be on the list.  When a contract is up for bid, the district secures quotes from at least five contractors from the list.  Once a contractor bids on a proposal, he or she cannot bid again until all contractors on the list have an opportunity to submit a bid on a contract.  However, if the district desires, it may solicit bids from all contractors on the list for each contract.

Summary of Bill:  A public hospital district may only use the small works roster process for projects estimated to cost less than $50,000.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill will add clarity to the code and rectify an ambiguity that currently exists.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Schmidt; Lisa Thatcher, Washington Association of Public Hospital Districts.