The bill amends RCW 36.32.235 to update regulations regarding county purchasing departments and their authority to enter into contracts for public works. It specifies that counties with a purchasing department must conduct competitive bidding for public works projects, with certain exceptions for projects funded by the county road fund or equipment rental and revolving fund. The bill introduces a new definition for "unit priced contracts," allowing counties to procure public works based on hourly rates or unit pricing for anticipated types of work. Notably, it allows contracts for the maintenance or repair of county ferry vessels to extend up to 10 years, a significant increase from the previous one-year limit.

Additionally, the bill maintains a 10 percent cap on the value of public works that can be performed by county employees within a budget period, with penalties for exceeding this limit. It outlines specific thresholds for public works projects that cannot be performed by public employees based on the project's cost and complexity, particularly for counties with populations of 400,000 or more. The legislation also emphasizes the importance of inviting bids from certified minority or woman contractors and includes provisions for emergency work that can be performed without the limitations set forth in the bill. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance transparency, competition, and accountability in county contracting processes.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.32.235
Bill as Passed Legislature: 36.32.235
Session Law: 36.32.235