Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2305

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Authorizes port districts to contract with community service organizations for certain public works services without regard to competitive bidding laws
Authorizes community service organizations to make improvements under such contracts to port habitat sites.
Authorizes community service organizations to enter into contracts for maintenance services for a facility or facilities as an "environmental stewardship project."

Background:

Certain public entities, including a county, city, town, school district, metropolitan park district, park and recreation district, or park and recreation service area may contract with, without regard to competitive bidding laws for public works, a chamber of commerce, a service organization, a community, youth, or athletic association, or other similar association, for certain public works services. The entity providing the public works service must be located in and provide the service in the immediate neighborhood. These types of services include:

drawing design plans;
making improvements to a park, school playground or public square;
installing equipment or artworks; and
providing maintenance services for a facility.

Public entities may enter into contracts with community service organizations for facility maintenance services under the auspices of community or neighborhood projects undertaken by the community service organization.

The consideration to be received by the public entity through the value of the service provided by the community service organization must have a value at least equal to three times that of the payment to the contracting organization. Payments made by a public entity under the authority of this section for all such contracts in one year may not exceed $25,000 dollars or $2 per resident within the boundaries of the public entity, whichever is greater.

Summary of Bill:

Authorizes port districts to contract with community service organizations for certain public works services without regard to competitive bidding laws. Authorizes community service organizations to make improvements under such contracts to port habitat sites. Authorizes community service organizations to enter into contracts for maintenance services for a facility or facilities as an "environmental stewardship project."