Title: An act relating to employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Brief Description: Extending employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Sponsors: By Representatives Miloscia, McDermott, Moeller and Kenney.

Brief History:

State Government Operations & Accountability: 3/2/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/9/05, 97-0.
Passed Senate: 4/15/05, 46-0.
Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Haigh, Chair; Green, Vice Chair; Nixon, Ranking Minority Member; Clements, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hunt, McDermott, Miloscia, Schindler and Sump.

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

State agencies may purchase goods and services of up to $3,000 without any bid procedures. Purchases between $3,000 and $35,000 may be made by obtaining a quote from as least three vendors. Purchases in excess of $35,000 generally must be made through competitive bid procedures.

In 2003, the Legislature enacted a policy meant to enhance employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities by requiring state agencies to include a vendor in good standing in the bid procedures required for purchases in excess of $3,000. A vendor in good standing is defined as a community rehabilitation program or a business owned and operated by persons with disabilities that has not had a breach of contract due to quality or performance issues and has achieved or made progress in enhancing employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities. The program expires December 31. 2007.

The legislation requires that an advisory subcommittee appointed by the Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment verify that entities seeking to qualify as vendors in good standing have achieved or made progress toward enhancing employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities. It further requires the Department of General Administration and the advisory subcommittee to prepare and issue a report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31, 2006, describing the effect of this program on enhancing employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities. The program expires December 31, 2007.

Summary of Bill:

The expiration date for the program enacted in 2003 to enhance employment opportunities for disadvantaged persons and persons with disabilities is changed from December 31, 2007, to December 31, 2009. The report required from the advisory subcommittee and the Department of General Administration is due to the Governor and the Legislature by December 31, 2008.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.