Washington State Legislative Hearings for January 28-29, 2010

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 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 a number of bills that will receive a hearing in Olympia on Thursday and Friday, January 28-29, 2010.

• GC/CM Subcontractor Selection: SB 6401 would authorized an alternative selection method for electrical and mechanical subcontractors on general contractor/construction manager projects (Chapter RCW 39.10). Hearing on Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 3:30 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Elections.

• Engineers' Continuing Education: HB 2602 would require engineers to complete 15 hours of continuing professional development annually (RCW 18.43.080). Hearing on Friday, January 29, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. in the House Committee on Commerce and Labor.

• School District Bidding: HB 2868 would (a) increase school districts' bidding thresholds to $100,000 for public works and $50,000 for non-book purchasing, and (b) allow school districts' public works and purchasing contracts to be awarded to any responsible bidder "submitting a bid within five percent of the lowest responsive bid." (RCW 28A.335.190). Hearing on Friday, January 29, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in the House Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs.