Port contracts law passes House and Senate

Bill protects taxpayer money against waste and sweetheart deals

March 10, 2008

OLYMPIA -- A reform bill to watchdog port contracts is heading to the governor's desk after passing the House and Senate unanimously.

"This is about making sure every tax dollar is spent correctly and efficiently," said Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-Covington), author of the law. "The state auditor found serious problems with how the Port of Seattle awarded contracts -- up to $100 million may be involved -- and it's our job to do whatever we can to protect the interests of taxpayers."

House Bill 3274 responds to the findings of the state auditor and makes four main changes in the law regarding how ports do contracts. Those four changes involve:

• improving the transparency and openness of the contract process;

• common contracting rules, to make contracting more standardized and fair;

• safeguards to prevent waste of taxpayer money; and

• protections against no-bid contracts and sweetheart deals.

"Our ports are a great engine of growth and jobs but they have to be accountable to the public," said Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina), a cosponsor of the bill. "It’s important that taxpayers get the most for their money. We can't afford waste or sweetheart deals.  This legislation will prevent no-bid contracts and sweetheart deals while providing greater transparency of how our tax dollars are spent."

The new law is based on contracting rules that apply to all state agencies, regardless of size. It passed the Senate 49-0 and the House 93-0.

For more information about the bill: http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=3274&year=2007