CPARB Survives Budget Axe

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.

In this guest blog entry, Steve summarizes one bill vetoed by Governor Chris Gregoire, and two bills signed by the governor.

Small Business State Purchasing vetoed: E2SHB 1096 would have required General Administration, Information Services, and Transportation to develop a plan for doubling the number of small businesses (no more than 50 employees or $7 million annual gross revenue, or certified by the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises) receiving state contracts for goods and services by 2014. The original bill would have given a 7% bidding preference to such businesses.

Board and Commission Elimination: E2SHB 2617 (Chapter 7, 2010 Laws 1st Special Session) eliminates 45 boards and commissions effective various dates beginning June 30, 2010; excluding the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (RCW 39.10.220) and the Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee (RCW 43.34.080) which were in the original bill.

Small Business Compliance: 2SHB 2603 (Chapter 194, 2010 Laws) provides small businesses (no more than 250 employees or $7 million annual gross revenue) a copy of any state law or agency rule being violated and two business days' opportunity to correct the violation (Chapter 34.05 RCW) effective June 10, 2010.