Washington State Legislative Updates

Here's a quick update on a couple of bills impacting public works contracting in the State of Washington:

• No Retainage on Federally Funded Transportation Projects:  SHB 1384 would align Washington State law with federal regulations, eliminating the withholding of retainage on federally funded transportation projects.  Claimants (subcontractors, suppliers, workers, state agencies) would only have the payment bond to bring a claim against, since retainage would not be withheld.  The bill unanimously passed the House on March 5, 2011.  A hearing on it has been scheduled for March 16, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Transportation.  See my previous blog entry for more information.

• Bidding Preference for Washington State Contractors:  2SSB 5662 passed the Senate with 32 votes in favor and 13 opposed.  It now moves to the House where it will be heard by the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs at 8:00 a.m. on March 16, 2011.  See my previous blog entry for more information.

• Design-Build on WSDOT Projects:   SSB 5250  would increase the use of Design-Build on WSDOT projects to those over $1 million (down from the current $10 million) and require WSDOT to justify not using Design-Build.  The Senate passed the bill on March 3, 2011 and the House Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on it on March 10, 2011.  See my previous blog entry for more information.

• Defining Categories of Businesses for Small Works Roster:  SHB 1173 would have amended the Small Works Roster legislation in RCW 39.04.155 by establishing various categories of business sizes and permitting public agencies to restrict solicitation of bids to small businesses.  Because it did not pass out of the House (house of origin) by March 7, 2011, it appears to be dead for this session.  See my previous blog entry for more information.

Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog 

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