HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1196

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to increasing the dollar limits for small works roster projects.

Brief Description: Increasing the dollar limit for small works roster projects.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh, Kristiansen, Hunt and Armstrong; by request of Capital Projects Advisory Review Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government & Tribal Affairs: 1/23/09, 2/5/09 [DP].

Floor Activity

Passed House: 2/23/09, 95-1.

Passed Senate: 4/7/09, 43-4.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Increases the small works roster limit to $300,000.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Flannigan, Hurst and Miloscia.

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135)

Background:

State agencies and certain local governments may use a small works roster process to award contracts for public works estimated to cost $200,000 or less. A single roster may be created or different rosters for different specialties or categories of anticipated work. In addition, distinctions may be made between contractors based on geographic areas. The agency or local government may solicit bids from all appropriate contractors on the roster, but at a minimum five bids must be solicited. The contract, if awarded, is awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. An effort must be made to equitably distribute the opportunity among contractors on the appropriate roster if bids are solicited from less than all contractors on the roster.

If the estimated cost of the work is between $100,000 and $200,000, and the state agency or local government chooses to solicit bids from less than all the appropriate contractors, the remaining contractors on the roster must be notified that quotations on the work are being sought.

Summary of Bill:

The maximum dollar amount allowed for use of a small works roster process is raised from $200,000 to $300,000, and the dollar amount requiring notification of all contractors on the roster is changed from between $100,000 and $200,000 to between $150,000 and $300,000.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill was worked on by a task force established by the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board.  The task force looked at the existing limits in order to bring up the dollar amount to a new value that keeps volume at the same level.  Due to escalation and other economic factors, some agencies could not utilize the small works roster process for the same types of work in the past. The amount is being adjusted to reflect inflation.  Snohomish County supports the bill.  Using the small works roster process reduces the time and money spent toward advertising projects.  As a result, the county can deliver more projects faster and for less money. The Washington County Engineers are supportive of the bill.  It adds flexibility to allow the county to manage a wide variety of projects.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Haigh, prime sponsor; Bob Maruska, Capital Projects Advisory Review Board; John Lynch, Department of General Administration; Steve Thomsen, Snohomish County; and Gary Rowe, Washington Association of Counties.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.