The bill amends RCW 39.04.350 to modify the criteria for determining responsible bidders on public works projects in Washington. Key changes include the requirement for bidders to have completed at least one public works project within the last three years without receiving a citation for violations of relevant laws, or to have a designated employee trained on public works and prevailing wage requirements. Additionally, the bill introduces a new requirement for bidders on projects subject to apprentice utilization to submit an apprentice utilization plan within 60 days of being awarded the contract. The Department of Labor and Industries is tasked with developing a template for this plan and publishing it on their website.

Furthermore, the bill allows state or municipal agencies to adopt supplemental criteria for bidder responsibility, which must be communicated in the bidding documents. It also establishes a process for potential bidders to request modifications to these criteria and outlines the appeal process for bidders deemed not responsible. The bill emphasizes the importance of compliance verification through publicly available information and mandates that the Department of Labor and Industries maintain records of training completion for bidders. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 39.04.350