Legislative Hearings This Week

Steve Goldblatt, recently retired, longtime University of Washington Construction Management faculty member specializing in design and construction law, has been covering the legislative scene in Olympia for more than 25 years.

I've invited Steve to contribute a series of guest blog posts on bills under consideration in the Washington State Legislature relating to public works and contracting, architects/engineers, and contractors. 

In this entry, Steve summarizes two bills that will receive a hearing in Olympia for the week of February 15, 2010, and which have both passed at least one house this year.

Architects: ESSB 5529 would update the Architects Act (Chapter 18.08 RCW) for the first time since 1985 to reflect modern practices by modifying applicants' requirements, exam procedures, practice exemptions, professional development, business entity registration, and out-of-state firm requirements. The bill passed the Senate last week, 39-8. Hearing on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in the House Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Alternative Public Works Contracting: HB 1690 would clarify legislative intent regarding the use of alternative public works contracting procedures (Chapter 39.10 RCW), require the University of Washington Board of Regents to comply with those procedures and to seek the approval of the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB) before using new procedures, and direct CPARB to evaluate new alternative contracting procedures and to authorize use of such new procedures as demonstration projects. The bill passed the House earlier this month, 97-0. Hearing on Thursday, February 18, 2010, at 3:30 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Elections.