BILL REQ. #:  S-4995.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/05/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to local food production; amending RCW 43.19.1906; reenacting and amending RCW 43.19.1905 and 28A.335.190; adding a new section to chapter 15.64 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.235 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.41 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.07 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.320 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW 43.19.706; and providing expiration dates.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   FINDINGS AND INTENT. (1) The legislature recognizes that the benefits of local food production include stewardship of working agricultural lands; direct and indirect jobs in agricultural production, food processing, tourism, and support industries; energy conservation and greenhouse gas reductions; and increased food security through access to locally grown foods.
     (2) The legislature finds there is a direct correlation between adequate nutrition and a child's development and school performance. Children who are hungry or malnourished are at risk of lower achievement in school.
     (3) The legislature further finds that adequate nutrition is also necessary for the physical health of adults, and that some communities have limited access to healthy fruits and vegetables and quality meat and dairy products, a lack of which may lead to high rates of diet-related diseases.
     (4) The legislature believes that expanding market opportunities for Washington farmers will preserve and strengthen local food production and increase the already significant contribution that agriculture makes to the state and local economies.
     (5) The legislature finds that the state's existing procurement requirements and practices may inhibit the purchase of locally produced food.
     (6) The legislature intends that the local farms-healthy kids act strengthen the connections between the state's agricultural industry and the state's food procurement procedures in order to expand local agricultural markets, improve the nutrition of children and other at-risk consumers, and have a positive impact on the environment.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 15.64 RCW to read as follows:
     FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM. (1) A farm-to-school program is created within the department to facilitate increased procurement of Washington grown food by the common schools.
     (2) The department, in consultation with the department of health, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the department of general administration, and Washington State University, shall, in order of priority:
     (a) Identify and develop policies and procedures to implement and evaluate the farm-to-school program, including coordinating with school procurement officials, buying cooperatives, and other appropriate organizations to develop uniform procurement procedures and materials, and practical recommendations to facilitate the purchase of Washington grown food by the common schools. These policies, procedures, and recommendations shall be made available to school districts to adopt at their discretion;
     (b) Assist food producers, distributors, and food brokers to market Washington grown food to schools by informing them of food procurement opportunities, bid procedures, school purchasing criteria, and other requirements;
     (c) Assist school districts to connect with local producers by informing them of the sources and availability of Washington grown food as well as the nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits of purchasing Washington grown food;
     (d) Identify and recommend mechanisms that will increase the predictability of sales for producers and the adequacy of supply for purchasers;
     (e) Identify and make available existing curricula, programs and publications that educate students on the nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits of preparing and consuming locally grown food;
     (f) Support efforts to advance other farm-to-school connections such as farmers markets on school grounds, school gardens, and farm visits; and
     (g) As resources allow, seek additional funds to leverage state expenditures.
     (3) To the extent that funds are appropriated for this purpose, the center for sustaining agriculture and natural resources at Washington State University shall research and prepare a report to recommend options for improving the ability of producers to supply Washington grown food to schools, as well as to state agencies and institutions of higher education. The center shall work with the department, state agencies, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, commodity commissions, and other appropriate associations. The report is due to the appropriate committees of the legislature by June 30, 2009.
     (4) As used in this section, RCW 43.19.1905, 43.19.1906, 28A.335.190, and sections 3 and 11 of this act, "Washington grown" means grown and packed or processed in Washington.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.235 RCW to read as follows:
     WASHINGTON GROWN FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GRANTS. (1) The Washington grown fresh fruit and vegetable grant program is created in the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The purpose of the program is to facilitate consumption of Washington grown nutritious snacks in order to improve student health and expand the market for locally grown fresh produce.
     (2) For purposes of this section, "fresh fruit and vegetables" includes perishable produce that is unprocessed, minimally processed, frozen, dried, or otherwise prepared, stored, and handled to maintain its fresh nature while providing convenience to the user. Producing minimally processed food involves cleaning, washing, cutting, or portioning.
     (3) The program shall increase the number of school children with access to Washington grown fresh fruits and vegetables and shall be modeled after the United States department of agriculture fresh fruit and vegetable program, as described in 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1769(g). Schools receiving funds under the federal program are not eligible for grants under the Washington grown fresh fruit and vegetable grant program.
     (4)(a) To the extent that state funds are appropriated specifically for this purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall solicit applications, conduct a competitive process, and make one or two-year grants to a mix of urban and rural schools to enable eligible schools to provide free Washington grown fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day.
     (b) When evaluating applications and selecting grantees, the superintendent of public instruction shall consider and prioritize the following factors:
     (i) The applicant's plan for ensuring the use of Washington grown fruits and vegetables within the program;
     (ii) The applicant's plan for incorporating nutrition, agricultural stewardship education, and environmental education into the snack program;
     (iii) The applicant's plan for establishing partnerships with state, local, and private entities to further the program's objectives, such as helping the school acquire, handle, store, and distribute Washington grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
     (5)(a) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall give funding priority to applicant schools with any of grades kindergarten through eight that: Participate in the national school lunch program and have fifty percent or more of their students eligible for free or reduced price meals under the federal national school lunch act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1751 et seq.
     (b) If any funds remain after all eligible priority applicant schools have been awarded grants, the office of the superintendent of public instruction may award grants to applicant schools having less than fifty percent of the students eligible for free or reduced price meals.
     (6) The office of the superintendent of public instruction may adopt rules to carry out the grant program.
     (7) With assistance from the Washington department of agriculture, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop and track specific, quantifiable outcome measures of the grant program such as the number of students served by the program, the dollar value of purchases of Washington grown fruits and vegetables resulting from the program, and development of state, local, and private partnerships that extend beyond the cafeteria.
     (8) As used in this section, "Washington grown" has the definition in section 2 of this act.

Sec. 4   RCW 43.19.1905 and 2002 c 299 s 5 and 2002 c 285 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) The director of general administration shall establish overall state policy for compliance by all state agencies, including educational institutions, regarding the following purchasing and material control functions:
     (((1))) (a) Development of a state commodity coding system, including common stock numbers for items maintained in stores for reissue;
     (((2))) (b) Determination where consolidations, closures, or additions of stores operated by state agencies and educational institutions should be initiated;
     (((3))) (c) Institution of standard criteria for determination of when and where an item in the state supply system should be stocked;
     (((4))) (d) Establishment of stock levels to be maintained in state stores, and formulation of standards for replenishment of stock;
     (((5))) (e) Formulation of an overall distribution and redistribution system for stock items which establishes sources of supply support for all agencies, including interagency supply support;
     (((6))) (f) Determination of what function data processing equipment, including remote terminals, shall perform in statewide purchasing and material control for improvement of service and promotion of economy;
     (((7))) (g) Standardization of records and forms used statewide for supply system activities involving purchasing, receiving, inspecting, storing, requisitioning, and issuing functions, including a standard notification form for state agencies to report cost-effective direct purchases, which shall at least identify the price of the goods as available through the division of purchasing, the price of the goods as available from the alternative source, the total savings, and the signature of the notifying agency's director or the director's designee;
     (((8))) (h) Screening of supplies, material, and equipment excess to the requirements of one agency for overall state need before sale as surplus;
     (((9))) (i) Establishment of warehouse operation and storage standards to achieve uniform, effective, and economical stores operations;
     (((10))) (j) Establishment of time limit standards for the issuing of material in store and for processing requisitions requiring purchase;
     (((11))) (k) Formulation of criteria for determining when centralized rather than decentralized purchasing shall be used to obtain maximum benefit of volume buying of identical or similar items, including procurement from federal supply sources;
     (((12))) (l) Development of criteria for use of leased, rather than state owned, warehouse space based on relative cost and accessibility;
     (((13))) (m) Institution of standard criteria for purchase and placement of state furnished materials, carpeting, furniture, fixtures, and nonfixed equipment, in newly constructed or renovated state buildings;
     (((14))) (n) Determination of how transportation costs incurred by the state for materials, supplies, services, and equipment can be reduced by improved freight and traffic coordination and control;
     (((15))) (o) Establishment of a formal certification program for state employees who are authorized to perform purchasing functions as agents for the state under the provisions of chapter 43.19 RCW;
     (((16))) (p) Development of performance measures for the reduction of total overall expense for material, supplies, equipment, and services used each biennium by the state;
     (((17))) (q) Establishment of a standard system for all state organizations to record and report dollar savings and cost avoidance which are attributable to the establishment and implementation of improved purchasing and material control procedures;
     (((18))) (r) Development of procedures for mutual and voluntary cooperation between state agencies, including educational institutions, and political subdivisions for exchange of purchasing and material control services;
     (((19))) (s) Resolution of all other purchasing and material matters which require the establishment of overall statewide policy for effective and economical supply management;
     (((20))) (t) Development of guidelines and criteria for the purchase of vehicles, high gas mileage vehicles, alternate vehicle fuels and systems, equipment, and materials that reduce overall energy-related costs and energy use by the state, including investigations into all opportunities to aggregate the purchasing of clean technologies by state and local governments, and including the requirement that new passenger vehicles purchased by the state meet the minimum standards for passenger automobile fuel economy established by the United States secretary of transportation pursuant to the energy policy and conservation act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 2002);
     (((21))) (u) Development of goals for state use of recycled or environmentally preferable products through specifications for products and services, processes for requests for proposals and requests for qualifications, contractor selection, and contract negotiations;
     (v) Development of food procurement procedures and materials that encourage and facilitate the purchase of Washington grown food by state agencies and institutions to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with international trade agreement commitments; and
     (w) Development of policies requiring all food contracts to include a plan to maximize to the extent practicable and consistent with international trade agreement commitments the availability of Washington grown food purchased through the contract.
     (2) As used in this section, "Washington grown" has the definition in section 2 of this act.

Sec. 5   RCW 43.19.1906 and 2006 c 363 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Insofar as practicable, all purchases and sales shall be based on competitive bids, and a formal sealed, electronic, or web-based bid procedure, subject to RCW 43.19.1911, shall be used as standard procedure for all purchases and contracts for purchases and sales executed by the state purchasing and material control director and under the powers granted by RCW 43.19.190 through 43.19.1939. This requirement also applies to purchases and contracts for purchases and sales executed by agencies, including educational institutions, under delegated authority granted in accordance with provisions of RCW 43.19.190 or under RCW 28B.10.029. However, formal sealed, electronic, or web-based competitive bidding is not necessary for:
     (1) Emergency purchases made pursuant to RCW 43.19.200 if the sealed bidding procedure would prevent or hinder the emergency from being met appropriately;
     (2) Purchases not exceeding thirty-five thousand dollars, or subsequent limits as calculated by the office of financial management: PROVIDED, That the state director of general administration shall establish procedures to assure that purchases made by or on behalf of the various state agencies shall not be made so as to avoid the thirty-five thousand dollar bid limitation, or subsequent bid limitations as calculated by the office of financial management: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the state purchasing and material control director is authorized to reduce the formal sealed bid limits of thirty-five thousand dollars, or subsequent limits as calculated by the office of financial management, to a lower dollar amount for purchases by individual state agencies if considered necessary to maintain full disclosure of competitive procurement or otherwise to achieve overall state efficiency and economy in purchasing and material control. Quotations from three thousand dollars to thirty-five thousand dollars, or subsequent limits as calculated by the office of financial management, shall be secured from at least three vendors to assure establishment of a competitive price and may be obtained by telephone or written quotations, or both. The agency shall invite at least one quotation each from a certified minority and a certified women-owned vendor who shall otherwise qualify to perform such work. Immediately after the award is made, the bid quotations obtained shall be recorded and open to public inspection and shall be available by telephone inquiry. A record of competition for all such purchases from three thousand dollars to thirty-five thousand dollars, or subsequent limits as calculated by the office of financial management, shall be documented for audit purposes. Purchases up to three thousand dollars may be made without competitive bids based on buyer experience and knowledge of the market in achieving maximum quality at minimum cost;
     (3) Purchases which are clearly and legitimately limited to a single source of supply and purchases involving special facilities, services, or market conditions, in which instances the purchase price may be best established by direct negotiation;
     (4) Purchases of insurance and bonds by the risk management division under RCW 43.41.310;
     (5) Purchases and contracts for vocational rehabilitation clients of the department of social and health services: PROVIDED, That this exemption is effective only when the state purchasing and material control director, after consultation with the director of the division of vocational rehabilitation and appropriate department of social and health services procurement personnel, declares that such purchases may be best executed through direct negotiation with one or more suppliers in order to expeditiously meet the special needs of the state's vocational rehabilitation clients;
     (6) Purchases by universities for hospital operation or biomedical teaching or research purposes and by the state purchasing and material control director, as the agent for state hospitals as defined in RCW 72.23.010, and for health care programs provided in state correctional institutions as defined in RCW 72.65.010(3) and veterans' institutions as defined in RCW 72.36.010 and 72.36.070, made by participating in contracts for materials, supplies, and equipment entered into by nonprofit cooperative hospital group purchasing organizations;
     (7) Purchases for resale by institutions of higher education to other than public agencies when such purchases are for the express purpose of supporting instructional programs and may best be executed through direct negotiation with one or more suppliers in order to meet the special needs of the institution;
     (8) Purchases by institutions of higher education not exceeding thirty-five thousand dollars: PROVIDED, That for purchases between three thousand dollars and thirty-five thousand dollars quotations shall be secured from at least three vendors to assure establishment of a competitive price and may be obtained by telephone or written quotations, or both. For purchases between three thousand dollars and thirty-five thousand dollars, each institution of higher education shall invite at least one quotation each from a certified minority and a certified women-owned vendor who shall otherwise qualify to perform such work. A record of competition for all such purchases made from three thousand to thirty-five thousand dollars shall be documented for audit purposes; ((and))
     (9) Off-contract purchases of Washington grown food when such food is not available from Washington sources through an existing contract. However, Washington grown food purchased under this subsection must be of an equivalent or better quality than similar food available through the contract and be able to be paid from the agency's existing budget. This requirement also applies to purchases and contracts for purchases executed by state agencies, including institutions of higher education, under delegated authority granted in accordance with RCW 43.19.190 or under RCW 28B.10.029; and
     (10) Negotiation of a contract by the department of transportation, valid until June 30, 2001, with registered tow truck operators to provide roving service patrols in one or more Washington state patrol tow zones whereby those registered tow truck operators wishing to participate would cooperatively, with the department of transportation, develop a demonstration project upon terms and conditions negotiated by the parties.
     Beginning on July 1, 1995, and on July 1st of each succeeding odd-numbered year, the dollar limits specified in this section shall be adjusted as follows: The office of financial management shall calculate such limits by adjusting the previous biennium's limits by the appropriate federal inflationary index reflecting the rate of inflation for the previous biennium. Such amounts shall be rounded to the nearest one hundred dollars. However, the three thousand dollar figure in subsections (2) and (8) of this section may not be adjusted to exceed five thousand dollars.
     As used in this section, "Washington grown" has the definition in section 2 of this act.

Sec. 6   RCW 28A.335.190 and 2005 c 346 s 2 and 2005 c 286 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) When, in the opinion of the board of directors of any school district, the cost of any furniture, supplies, equipment, building, improvements, or repairs, or other work or purchases, except books, will equal or exceed the sum of fifty thousand dollars, complete plans and specifications for such work or purchases shall be prepared and notice by publication given in at least one newspaper of general circulation within the district, once each week for two consecutive weeks, of the intention to receive bids and that specifications and other information may be examined at the office of the board or any other officially designated location: PROVIDED, That the board without giving such notice may make improvements or repairs to the property of the district through the shop and repair department of such district when the total of such improvements or repair does not exceed the sum of forty thousand dollars. The cost of any public work, improvement or repair for the purposes of this section shall be the aggregate of all amounts to be paid for labor, material, and equipment on one continuous or interrelated project where work is to be performed simultaneously or in close sequence. The bids shall be in writing and shall be opened and read in public on the date and in the place named in the notice and after being opened shall be filed for public inspection.
     (2) Every purchase of furniture, equipment or supplies, except books, the cost of which is estimated to be in excess of forty thousand dollars, shall be on a competitive basis. The board of directors shall establish a procedure for securing telephone and/or written quotations for such purchases. Whenever the estimated cost is from forty thousand dollars up to seventy-five thousand dollars, the procedure shall require quotations from at least three different sources to be obtained in writing or by telephone, and recorded for public perusal. Whenever the estimated cost is in excess of seventy-five thousand dollars, the public bidding process provided in subsection (1) of this section shall be followed.
     (3) Any school district may purchase goods produced or provided in whole or in part from class II inmate work programs operated by the department of corrections pursuant to RCW 72.09.100, including but not limited to furniture, equipment, or supplies. School districts are encouraged to set as a target to contract, beginning after June 30, 2006, to purchase up to one percent of the total goods required by the school districts each year, goods produced or provided in whole or in part from class II inmate work programs operated by the department of corrections.
     (4) Every building, improvement, repair or other public works project, the cost of which is estimated to be in excess of forty thousand dollars, shall be on a competitive bid process. Whenever the estimated cost of a public works project is one hundred thousand dollars or more, the public bidding process provided in subsection (1) of this section shall be followed unless the contract is let using the small works roster process in RCW 39.04.155 or under any other procedure authorized for school districts. One or more school districts may authorize an educational service district to establish and operate a small works roster for the school district under the provisions of RCW 39.04.155.
     (5) The contract for the work or purchase shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder as defined in RCW 43.19.1911 but the board may by resolution reject any and all bids and make further calls for bids in the same manner as the original call. On any work or purchase the board shall provide bidding information to any qualified bidder or the bidder's agent, requesting it in person.
     (6) In the event of any emergency when the public interest or property of the district would suffer material injury or damage by delay, upon resolution of the board declaring the existence of such an emergency and reciting the facts constituting the same, the board may waive the requirements of this section with reference to any purchase or contract: PROVIDED, That an "emergency", for the purposes of this section, means a condition likely to result in immediate physical injury to persons or to property of the school district in the absence of prompt remedial action.
     (7) This section does not apply to the direct purchase of school buses by school districts and educational services in accordance with RCW 28A.160.195.
     (8) This section does not apply to the purchase of Washington grown food.
     (9) At the discretion of the board, a school district may develop and implement policies and procedures to facilitate and maximize to the extent practicable, purchases of Washington grown food; such policies and procedures may include, but are not limited to, local preferences.
     (10) As used in this section, "Washington grown" has the definition in section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   A new section is added to chapter 43.07 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall adopt rules authorizing individual farms to participate in either the women, infants, and children program, or the women, infant, and children farmers market nutrition program, as appropriate to provide locally grown, nutritious, unprepared fruits and vegetables to eligible program participants. Such rules must meet the provisions of 7 C.F.R. part 3016, uniform administrative requirements for grants and cooperative agreements to state and local governments, as it existed on the effective date of this section, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the department by rule, consistent with the purposes of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:
     School districts may operate school gardens or farms as appropriate for the purpose of growing fruits and vegetables to be used for educational purposes and, where appropriate, to be offered to students through the district nutrition services meal and snack programs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   FARMERS MARKET TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT PILOT PROGRAM. (1) If funds are provided for this specific purpose, the Washington state farmers market technology improvement pilot program to lend technological hardware to farmers markets is created in the department of social and health services to assist farmers markets and Washington farmers develop the capability to accept electronic payment cards, including electronic benefits transfers. The purpose of this program is to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables and quality meat and dairy for all Washington residents and to increase the number of food stamp recipients using food stamp benefits through electronic benefits transfer at farmers markets.
     (2) The department shall work with farmers markets and appropriate associations to determine criteria for participation in the pilot program under subsection (1) of this section, ensuring that the program serves a balance of rural and urban farmers markets. Criteria for participation shall prioritize the following factors:
     (a) The applicant farmers market's ability to complete required paperwork and implement participation requirements;
     (b) The applicant's location with regard to the number of residents in the area who are using food stamps; and
     (c) The applicant's ability to establish partnerships with local public and private organizations to further local outreach and to coordinate with existing programs through the department of social and health services and the department of health.
     (3) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by November 15, 2009, on the outcomes of the program and make recommendations on whether to continue the program.
     (4) This section expires July 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10   FARMERS TO FOOD BANKS PILOT PROGRAM. (1) If funds are provided for this specific purpose, the farmers to food banks pilot program is created. In implementing this program, the department of community, trade, and economic development shall conduct a request for proposals to select pilot site communities statewide. Any nonprofit entity qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code that is in the business of delivering social services may submit a proposal. Pilot communities shall be selected based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:
     (a) The percentage of the population suffering from hunger and food insecurity;
     (b) The existence and success of the local emergency food system;
     (c) The potential to engage and contract with local farmers; and
     (d) The capacity to leverage private sector funding and in-kind contributions.
     (2) Funds shall be used in pilot communities for the food bank system to contract with local farmers to provide fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat products for distribution to low-income people at local designated food banks.
     (3) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by November 15, 2009, on the outcomes of the program and make recommendations on whether to continue the program.
     (4) This section expires July 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11   A new section is added to chapter 43.41 RCW to read as follows:
     TRACKING. (1) Beginning with the 2009 fiscal year, the office of financial management shall work with the department of general administration, the department of agriculture, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction to develop measures for reporting on changes and trends in the purchasing of Washington grown food by state agencies, institutions of higher education, and schools, and provide a report biennially to the appropriate committees of the legislature.
     (2) As used in this section, "Washington grown" has the definition in section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12   RCW 43.19.706 (Purchase of Washington agricultural products -- Report to the legislature) and 2002 c 166 s 2 are each repealed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13   This act may be known and cited as the local farms-healthy kids act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14   Captions used in this act are not any part of the law.