AGC's 2014 Legislative Recap
The following bills passed the Legislature in 2014.
E2SHB 2192 – AGC’s position: Support
State agency permitting: In response to recommendations from a recent performance audit by the Washington State Auditor’s Office this bill requires agencies to keep track of and public report the amount of time needed to issue permits and to develop processes to improve the timing. Effective June 12 2014.
HB 2208 – AGC’s position: Support
Heavy civil construction: This bill modifies the GC/CM statute in RCW 39.10. It specifically allows changes to the current self-performance limitations and allow for part of the project to be negotiated when a project is “heavy civil” in nature. No more than 50% of the project can be negotiated. Numerous AGC members worked upon this bill as part of a Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB) taskforce and the bill passed unanimously from CPARB. Effective June 12 2014.
E2SHB 1129 – AGC’s position: Support
Concerning ferry vessel replacement: A service fee of $5 for each initial and renewal vehicle registration and a $12 for each title transaction is collected to pay for new ferries. It is expected that about $11 million will be generated in the current 2013-2015 biennium and about $45 million in subsequent bienniums. The service fees apply to vehicle registrations and title transactions beginning on Jan. 1 2015.
SHB 1841 – AGC’s position: Support
Electronic competitive bidding: Electronic signatures are authorized on public works bidding documents for state agencies. The Chief Information Officer within the Office of Financial Management is required to develop pertinent policies. Effective June 12 2014.
HB 2137 – AGC’s position: Monitor
Commercial motor vehicles: An audit identified state laws that appeared to be incompatible with federal rules. Thus the following changes are made with regard to commercial motor vehicles: The size of the warning flag on over-dimensional loads is changed from 12 inches to 18 inches also allowing for either red or orange fluorescent warning flags; it is clarified that only certain agricultural operations are exempt from regulations concerning the transportation of hazardous materials; the Washington State Patrol is given the authority to inspect entities that manufacture hazardous materials or perform pre-transportation functions for compliance with the federal standards; the exemption for school buses not to stop at railroad crossings is removed; the requirement for the WSP to establish a list of railroad crossings where stopping is not required is removed and changed to the UTC. Effective June 12 2014.
HB 2555 – AGC’s position: Support
Alternative contracting performance goals: Building performance goals and validation requirements are required in the requests for proposals that the public body issues for design/build services. Design/build proposals are exempt from disclosure until the highest scoring finalist has been selected rather than when a contract agreement has been executed. Effective June 12 2014.
ESSB 6001 – AGC’s position: Monitor
Supplemental transportation appropriations: Provides an additional $346 million in transportation spending in the current biennium. For more information on the supplemental transportation budget click here.
2ESSB 5785 – AGC’s position: Monitor
License plate requirement changes: The requirement to periodically replace license plates is removed. However a license plate must be replaced at the time a vehicle changes ownership at which time vehicle registration expires as well. A license plate does not expire when the change in ownership is related to a transfer between immediate family members or from a trust; when a lien holder is added or removed from a title or a leaseholder buys the leased vehicle; when removing a deceased spouse or domestic partner; or when the owner changes the owners name. A vehicle registration is valid for 12 months or until the vehicle changes ownership. The new owner must make application for new license plates and registration renewal and pay any taxes and fees that are due at registration renewal. The new owner of a vehicle applying for a renewal registration must be credited for any motor vehicle excise tax paid by the previous owner that expired. The new owner may apply to retain the current license plates. New license plates and registration do not need to be obtained for vehicles that are sold to vehicle dealers until the dealer sells the vehicle. This act applies to vehicle registrations that are due or become due on or after January 1 2015.