Senate Passes A/E Procurement Reforms

Today the State Senate passed a revised version of SB 6235. This bill sponsored by Senator Mary Margaret Haugen (D- 1O, Camano Island) was revived by a striking amendment that deleted several sections that caused Constitutional problems. The main problem was the bill dealt with two subjects – procurement reforms and the length of terms of port commissioners.

The revised bill applies the small works rosters provisions to ports, which are specifically exempted in the current law. It applies civil penalties of RCW 39.30.020 to A/E and related services. The statute provides for civil penalties of not less than $300 and for consequential damages. Intentional violations could be determined to be a criminal matter.

It adds “other construction-related services” to the A/E procurement statute (RCW 39.80). These services are defined as “consultant services…in the furtherance of any public work for the project management, construction supervision, or construction management.”

It changes the term “professional services” to “public work consultant services” in RCW 39.80.

Finally, it adds new restrictions on ports’ use of public work consultant planning services. See the amendment that passed for details.