WashingtonUtility districts may use alternate purchasing routes for energy projects
Washington law allows utility districts and other municipalities to use certain quote processes, bidding waivers, or employee work for energy projects through 2044.
What it does
For certain energy projects, utility district commissions may use a quote process instead of public sealed bids for some supply purchases, if they adopt a resolution.
A municipality may skip competitive bidding for some energy facility purchases when specialized technology or a grid reliability need meets a stated condition.
For certain energy projects costing over $500,000, utility district commissions may use regular employees without a contract when the work meets utility management standards and the materials stay within the stated limit.
Argument forQuote-based purchases and limited bidding waivers may help utilities act sooner when buying supplies or specialized technology needed for reliable energy service.
Argument againstUsing quotes or waiving bids could give residents fewer chances to compare offers for some energy purchases and see how officials chose a supplier.
More detail
Utility district commissions may use a quote process instead of public sealed bids for certain supply purchases. It covers purchases of the same kind of materials, equipment, or supplies for new or existing nonemitting or renewable generation, storage, transmission, or distribution projects. The monthly total must exceed $50,000 and be less than $250,000, before sales tax. The commission must adopt a resolution to use the process. It may authorize waiving the bid deposit or bond. This provision applies until January 1, 2045.
A municipality's governing body may waive competitive bidding for certain energy facility purchases. The exemption covers purchases relating to energy generation, storage, transmission, or distribution facilities. The governing body must determine that the purchase uses specialized technology with no comparable alternative, is needed to meet electrical reliability standards, or is needed to prevent a threat to grid reliability. This provision applies until January 1, 2045.
A utility district commission may have its regular employees perform certain energy project work without a contract. This applies to construction, maintenance, operation, or repair of new or existing nonemitting or renewable electricity generation, storage, transmission, or distribution projects costing more than $500,000 before sales tax. The work must be an accepted industry practice under prudent utility management. Materials used may be worth no more than $1,000,000; individual equipment items do not count toward that limit. This provision applies until January 1, 2045.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 24Chapter 183, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 24Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 11President signed.Passed House
- Mar 10Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#26). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Senate concurred in House amendments.
- Mar 4Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#14). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 4Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
- Mar 3Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Mar 2Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Mar 2CB - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 8:30 AM.
- Feb 27Public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 9:00 AM.
- Feb 25Referred to Capital Budget.Minor
- Feb 25LG - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 25Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 24Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 14First reading, referred to Local Government.Minor
- Feb 11Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#24). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 11Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 111st substitute bill substituted (ENET 26).Major
- Feb 4Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 2Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Jan 30Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Jan 30ENET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Jan 30Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 20Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 13First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.Introduced
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