Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government Committee

HB 1079

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 Description: Allowing public agencies to enter into contracts providing for the joint utilization of architectural or engineering services.

Sponsors: Representatives Kochmar, Takko, Pike, Springer, Fitzgibbon, S. Hunt, Gregerson and Stanford.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows for joint agreements for architectural or engineering services under the Inter-Local Agreement Act.

Hearing Date: 1/21/15

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

The Inter-Local Agreement Act (Act) was established in 1967 and permits two or more public agencies to enter into joint agreements. Public agencies entering into inter-local agreements may supply property, as well as personnel and services, to the joint undertaking.

A "public agency," for purposes of inter-local agreements, includes any agency, political subdivision, or unit of local government in this state including, but not limited to: municipal corporations; quasi-municipal corporations; special purpose districts; and local service districts, as well as any state agency, federal agency, federally-recognized Indian tribe, and political subdivision of another state.

Inter-local agreements must be filed with the county auditor before they take effect and must specify the following:

For public agencies that purchase or contract through a bid, proposal, or contract awarded by another public agency or group of public agencies, the obligation to provide notice for bids or proposals is satisfied if the public agency awarding the bid, proposal, or contract complied with its own statutory requirements and either: (a) posted the bid or solicitation notice on a web site established and maintained by a public agency, purchasing cooperative, or similar service provider, for purposes of posting public notice of bid or proposal solicitations; or (b) provided an access link on the state's web portal to the notice.

Summary of Bill:

Two or more public agencies may enter into a contract under the Act providing for the joint utilization of architectural or engineering services if the contracting agency complies with the statutory requirements for contracting for architectural and engineering services, and the services to be provided to the other agency or agencies are related to, and within the general scope of, the services the architectural or engineering firm was selected to perform.

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.