CPARB – 2009 Legislative Priorities

The Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB) met on July 10, 2008 to discuss legislative priorities for the 2009 Legislative session of subcontractors and public owners. At the August 14, 2008 CPARB meeting, the Board will considered legislative priorities from contractors and labor unions.

Subcontractor Priorities: Subcontractors presented three issues they would like to see endorsed by CPARB and approved by the Legislature:

1. Require payment of prevailing wages on Public-Private Partnerships.
   
2. Include Housing Authorities as a specifically named public entity covered by the alternative public works contracting procedures of chapter 39.10 RCW.
3. Modify the definition of “prefabricated modular building” in RCW 39.10.300 (the Design-Build statute) to limit the number of such modular buildings that may be used on a project without having to obtain the approval of CPARB’s Project Review Committee.

Owner Priorities: Owners presented four issues they would like to see endorsed by CPARB and approved by the Legislature:

1. Permit all public agencies in the state to use the provisions of RCW 39.04.015 that currently only allows “state contracting authorities” the ability to negotiate a bid price on a public works project, under limited circumstances.
2. Increase the thresholds for the Small Works Roster to $500,000 (from $200,000), and increase the Limited Public Works threshold from $35,000 to $100,000 (RCW 39.04.155).
3. Include Best Value Procurement as a fourth alternative public works contracting process.
4. Increase the dollar thresholds for cities and counties for the amount of work that may be performed with their own forces without having to contract it out.

There will be additional discussion by CPARB on these issues as part of deciding whether CPARB should recommend legislation to address these concerns.