Title: An act relating to alternative public works contracting for school district capital demonstration projects.

Brief Description: Increasing the number of demonstration projects that may be authorized by the school district project review board.

Sponsors: House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives Haigh, Cox, Ericks, Miloscia, Armstrong, McCoy, McDermott, Green, Morrell, Wallace, Nixon, Clements, Chase and Linville).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/11/06, 96-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/16/06 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Fairley, Haugen, Kline, McCaslin and Pridemore.

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: Until July 1, 2007, school districts are allowed to use the general contractor/construction manager method of alternative public works contracting if certain conditions are met. These conditions are that the project must be approved by the school district project review board; no more that 16 demonstration projects valued over ten million dollars may be authorized; and no more than two demonstration projects valued between five and ten million dollars may be authorized.

The Capital Projects Review Board (Board) was created in 2005 to evaluate public capital projects construction processes and to advise the Legislature on policies related to alternative public works. The Board is staffed by the Department of General Administration and consists of 11 voting members and 6 nonvoting members who serve four-year terms.

Summary of Bill: The number of projects valued over ten million dollars that may be approved by the school project review board is raised to 23.

The school district project review board must prepare and issue a report reviewing the use of the alternative public works contracting procedures by school districts. The school district project review board shall report to the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board at least thirty days before January 8, 2007.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: School bond issues totaling several billion dollars were approved by the voters last election. There is a need for the Board to be able to approve more projects if the projects qualify.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Charlie Brown, King and Pierce County School Coalitions.