SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5631

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, February 26, 2001

Title:  An act relating to allowing metropolitan park districts to use a small works roster process.

Brief Description:  Expanding the small works roster process to include metropolitan park districts.

Sponsors:  Senators Patterson, Winsley and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/19/01, 2/26/01 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Gardner, Hale, Haugen, Kline, T. Sheldon and Swecker.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Horn.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786‑7410)

Background:  State contracting law provides for an optional uniform small works roster process to award public works contracts that assure a competitive price is established and that the contract is awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.  The small works roster may be used by government agencies and by any local government that is expressly authorized to use it.  Contracts estimated to cost $200,000 or less are eligible for the small works roster process.

A metropolitan park district is a municipal corporation with taxing authority, the right of eminent domain and the authority to create a civil service commission for its employees.  Its authority to contract for public works is not clear.

Summary of Bill:  Metropolitan park districts are given authority to let contracts for public works estimated to cost more than $5,000 by a competitive bidding process or by use of the existing small works roster process.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is good legislation.  The small works roster process is beneficial in all aspects of the more minor public works.  Tacoma=s metropolitan park district was left out of the express authority to use the small works roster.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Duke Schaub, AGC; T.K. Bentler, Metro Parks of Tacoma.