Trench Excavation Bill Buried this Session

HB 2009 was introduced in the 2007 legislative session when it passed the House but died in the Senate. It was reintroduced in the 2008 session and has not received much traction and will not move forward this session. This is unfortunate as most industry stakeholders saw the value in eliminating the requirement for contractors to list on the bid for public works projects a separate line item cost for providing shoring for trench excavation. They may be some in the industry who still object to the requirement.

It will probably be introduced again in the 2009 session and hopefully will pass. Until then, public agencies much include a place on the bid form for the bidders to list the cost for providing trench excavation if the trench is more than four feet deep. The requirement is found in RCW 39.04.180.