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Bill

Bill

HB 1970

Concerning state highway construction project alternative contracting procedures.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brandy Donaghy and 1 co-sponsor

Washington allows alternative contracting methods for state highway projects, potentially speeding construction but reducing traditional competitive bidding requirements.

Effective date 5/12/2025.
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Bill Summary · HB 1970

Legislative bill overview

HB 1970 modifies Washington State's procedures for contracting on state highway construction projects, allowing alternative contracting methods beyond traditional competitive bidding. The bill became law on May 12, 2025, and is effective immediately.

Why is this important

Alternative contracting procedures (such as design-build or construction manager at-risk models) can potentially accelerate project timelines and shift risk allocation compared to traditional design-bid-build methods. This affects how taxpayer dollars are spent on infrastructure and may influence project completion speeds and final costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Competitive bidding concerns: Alternative contracting may reduce open competition, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller contractors or disadvantaging firms unfamiliar with these procurement methods
  • Cost predictability: Moving away from traditional bidding models could make final project costs less predictable upfront, raising accountability questions about budget management
  • Oversight and transparency: Alternative procedures may involve less public scrutiny than conventional bidding processes, depending on implementation details not specified in available bill summaries

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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