HB 1970 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning state highway construction project alternative contracting procedures.

House Bill 1970 modifies the procedures for state highway construction projects, primarily affecting the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The bill exempts WSDOT from needing to obtain certification or project-specific approval from a committee when using alternative contracting methods like "design-build" or "general contractor/construction manager." Additionally, it removes a previous monetary threshold for competitively bid highway construction contracts that may be constructed using a design-build procedure. These changes aim to streamline WSDOT's ability to utilize these alternative procurement methods for infrastructure projects.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Signed May 12, 2025

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What changed between versions

Bill → Passed Legislature · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Washington State's rules for alternative highway construction methods, such as design-build, to streamline project approval for public bodies. It adds a new certification process for public agencies to use these methods without case-by-case approval for three years, while maintaining strict oversight for the Department of Transportation (DOT). The legislation also repeals older, conflicting statutes and clarifies definitions to ensure consistency across state laws.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of alternative contracting procedures by introducing a formal certification system for public bodies, whereas previously, most agencies required individual project approval. It specifically maintains an exemption for the Department of Transportation from these certification requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new certification process allowing public bodies to use alternative contracting procedures for three years without seeking committee approval for each project.

REQUIREMENT

Established specific criteria for project approval, including fiscal benefits, project quality needs, and the public body's experience and staffing capabilities.

Removed the previous requirement that the Department of Transportation must pursue approval for its first three general contractor/construction manager projects.

TIMELINE

Set a 10-business-day deadline for the committee to approve or deny project applications, with automatic approval if the deadline is missed.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions for design-build, progressive design-build, and general contractor/construction manager procedures to clarify their scope.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a provision allowing the committee to revoke certification if a public body's use of these procedures no longer serves the public interest.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 16, 2025 · House Apr 21, 2025

How they voted

50–1

Passed

Total votes 51

Apr 16, 2025

D Democratic31

30 Yea 1 Nay

96% Yea

R Republican20

20 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 12, 2025

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Apr 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

lower

Apr 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendments.

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (50-1)

senate

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

TRAN - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

TR - Majority; do pass.

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM.

lower

Feb 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor