Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

SSB 5972

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: Concerning the procurement of seeds by state agencies.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Schoesler, Hatfield and Warnick).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Obligates state agencies, when purchasing seed, to require suppliers of seed to ensure the identity and purity of the seed through appropriate testing performed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture or by another state that has federally approved standards and procedures to ensure the identify and purity of seed.

  • Requires state agencies to include in all contracts for purchasing of seed the agency's expectations for the germination or viability of the seed as an essential element of the supplier's performance pursuant to the contract.

Hearing Date: 3/25/15

Staff: Peter Clodfelter (786-7127).

Background:

State agencies are required to comply with various requirements while entering contracts. Requirements relate to things like mandated competitive solicitations of contract bids, following uniform procedures for evaluating whether a bidder is responsible and whether the bid offers the best value, providing for a transparent complaint process, and requiring a successful bidder to post a bond.

Summary of Bill:

State agencies are obligated to require suppliers of seed to ensure the identity and purity of the seed through appropriate testing performed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture or by another state or territory that has standards and procedures approved by the United States Secretary of Agriculture to ensure the identify and purity of seed.

Tree seed and seed of woody species are exempt.

Additionally, all contracts for purchasing of seed by an agency are required to include the agency's expectations for the germination or viability of the seed as an essential element of the supplier's performance pursuant to the contract.

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.