(REPRINTED WITH ADOPTED AMENDMENTS)

                                                      SECOND REPRINT                                                                    A.B. 428

 

Assembly Bill No. 428–Assemblyman Hettrick

 

March 19, 2001

____________

 

Referred to Committee on Government Affairs

 

SUMMARY—Revises provisions governing state public works board. (BDR 28‑229)

 

FISCAL NOTE:            Effect on Local Government: No.

                                    Effect on the State: No.

 

~

 

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to the state public works board; authorizing the board to enter into a contract with a contractor to assist the board in the development and review of designs, plans, specifications and estimates of costs for a proposed construction project; requiring the board to notify the governor if a member of the board fails to attend three successive meetings of the board; authorizing the governor to replace such a member for the unexpired term of the member; establishing qualifications for appointed members of the board; requiring the board to obtain the approval of the legislature or interim finance committee for certain changes to a project; requiring the inclusion of certain provisions concerning change orders in a contract with a design professional; removing the provision requiring the director of the department of administration to serve as the chairman of the board; requiring the chairman of the board to be elected from among the appointed members of the board; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1    Section 1. Chapter 341 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2  the provisions set forth as sections 2 and 3 of this act.

1-3    Sec. 2.  1.  The board may, with the approval of the interim finance

1-4  committee when the legislature is not in regular or special session, or

1-5  with the approval of the legislature by concurrent resolution when the

1-6  legislature is in regular or special session, enter into a contract for

1-7  services with a contractor licensed pursuant to chapter 624 of NRS to

1-8  assist the board:

1-9    (a) In the development of designs, plans, specifications and estimates

1-10  of costs for a proposed construction project.

1-11    (b) In the review of designs, plans, specifications and estimates of

1-12  costs for a proposed construction project to ensure that the designs,

1-13  plans, specifications and estimates of costs are complete and that the

1-14  project is feasible to construct.


2-1    2.  The board is not required to advertise for bids for a contract for

2-2  services pursuant to subsection 1, but may solicit bids from not fewer

2-3  than three licensed contractors and may award the contract to the lowest

2-4  responsible and responsive bidder.

2-5    3.  The board shall adopt regulations establishing procedures for:

2-6    (a) The determination of the qualifications of contractors to bid for

2-7  the contracts for services described in subsection 1.

2-8    (b) The bidding and awarding of such contracts.

2-9    4.  If a proposed construction project for which a contractor is

2-10  awarded a contract for services by the board pursuant to subsection 1 is

2-11  advertised pursuant to NRS 341.148, that contractor may submit a bid for

2-12  the contract for the proposed construction project if he is qualified

2-13  pursuant to NRS 338.1377.

2-14    Sec. 3.  If an appointed member of the board fails to attend three

2-15  successive meetings of the board, the board shall notify the governor of

2-16  that fact, in writing, within 5 days after the third successive meeting that

2-17  the member fails to attend. Upon receipt of the notice, the governor may

2-18  appoint a person to replace the member for the unexpired term of that

2-19  member.

2-20    Sec. 4.  NRS 341.020 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-21    341.020  1.  The state public works board, consisting of the director of

2-22  the department of administration and six members [to be] appointed by the

2-23  governor, is hereby created within the department of administration.

2-24    2.  At least one of the appointed members must have a comprehensive

2-25  knowledge of the principles of administration and at least one of the

2-26  appointed members must have a working knowledge of the principles of

2-27  engineering or architecture.

2-28    Sec. 5.  NRS 341.060 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-29    341.060  Within a reasonable time after the appointment of the

2-30  members of the board, the board shall meet upon the call of the governor

2-31  and shall organize and elect a chairman and vice chairman [.] from among

2-32  the members appointed pursuant to NRS 341.020.

2-33    Sec. 6.  NRS 341.070 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-34    341.070  The board shall [adopt] :

2-35    1.  Adopt such rules for the regulation of its proceedings and the

2-36  transaction of its business as it deems proper.

2-37    2.  Meet at least once every 3 months.

2-38    Sec. 7.  NRS 341.145 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-39    341.145  The board:

2-40    1.  [After consulting with the interim finance committee, has] Has final

2-41  authority [for approval as] to approve the architecture of all buildings,

2-42  plans, designs, types of construction, major repairs and designs of

2-43  landscaping.

2-44    2.  Shall determine whether any rebates are available from a public

2-45  utility for installing devices in any state building which are designed to

2-46  decrease the use of energy in the building. If such a rebate is available, the

2-47  board shall apply for the rebate.

2-48    3.  Shall solicit bids for and let all contracts for new construction or

2-49  major repairs.


3-1    4.  May negotiate with the lowest responsible and responsive bidder on

3-2  any contract to obtain a revised bid if:

3-3    (a) The bid is less than the appropriation made by the legislature for that

3-4  building project; and

3-5    (b) The bid does not exceed the relevant budget item for that building

3-6  project as established by the board by more than 10 percent.

3-7    5.  May reject any or all bids.

3-8    6.  After the contract is let, shall supervise and inspect construction and

3-9  major repairs. The cost of supervision and inspection must be financed

3-10  from the capital construction program approved by the legislature.

3-11    7.  Shall obtain approval from the interim finance committee when

3-12  the legislature is not in regular or special session, or from the legislature

3-13  by concurrent resolution when the legislature is in regular or special

3-14  session, for any change in the scope of the design or construction of a

3-15  project as that project was authorized by the legislature. The board shall

3-16  adopt by regulation criteria for determining whether a change in the

3-17  scope of the design or construction of a project requires such approval.

3-18    8. May authorize change orders, before or during construction:

3-19    (a) In any amount, where the change represents a reduction in the

3-20  awarded contract price.

3-21    (b) Not to exceed in the aggregate 10 percent of the total awarded

3-22  contract price, where the change represents an increase in that price.

3-23    [8.] 9. Shall specify in any contract with a design professional the

3-24  period within which the design professional must prepare and submit to

3-25  the board a change order that has been authorized by the design

3-26  professional. As used in this subsection, “design professional” means a

3-27  person with a professional license or certificate issued pursuant to

3-28  chapter 623, 623A or 625 of NRS.

3-29    10.  Has final authority to accept each building as completed or to

3-30  require necessary alterations to conform to the contract, and to file the

3-31  notice of completion.

3-32    Sec. 8. NRS 341.148 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-33    341.148  1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the board

3-34  shall advertise in a newspaper of general circulation in the State of Nevada

3-35  for separate sealed bids for each construction project. Approved plans and

3-36  specifications for the construction must be on file at a place and time stated

3-37  in the advertisement for the inspection of all persons desiring to bid thereon

3-38  and for other interested persons. The board may accept bids on either the

3-39  whole or a part of the construction, equipment and furnishings, and may let

3-40  separate contracts for different and separate portions of any project, or a

3-41  combination contract for structural, mechanical and electrical construction

3-42  if savings will result to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.

3-43    2.  The board is not required to advertise for sealed bids for

3-44  construction projects if the estimated cost is less than $25,000, but the

3-45  board may solicit firm written bids from not less than two licensed

3-46  contractors doing business in the area and may award the contract to the

3-47  lowest responsible and responsive bidder or reject all bids.

 

 


4-1    Sec. 9.  NRS 341.161 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-2    341.161  1.  The board may, with the approval of the interim finance

4-3  committee when the legislature is not in regular or special session, or with

4-4  the approval of the legislature by concurrent resolution when the legislature

4-5  is in regular or special session, let to a contractor licensed under chapter

4-6  624 of NRS a contract for services which assist the [architect] board in the

4-7  design and construction of a project of capital improvement. [The board

4-8  shall for that purpose participate in the development of plans, outlines of

4-9  specifications and estimates of costs.]

4-10    2.  The board shall adopt regulations establishing procedures for:

4-11    (a) The determination of the qualifications of contractors to bid for

4-12  contracts for services described in subsection 1.

4-13    (b) The bidding and awarding of such contracts, subject to the

4-14  provisions of subsection 3.

4-15    (c) The awarding of construction contracts based on a final cost of the

4-16  project which the contractor guarantees will not be exceeded.

4-17    (d) The scheduling and controlling of projects.

4-18    3.  Bids on contracts for services which assist the [architect] board in

4-19  the design and construction of a project of capital improvement must state

4-20  separately the contractor’s cost for:

4-21    (a) Assisting the [architect] board in the design and construction of the

4-22  project.

4-23    (b) Obtaining all bids for subcontracts.

4-24    (c) Administering the construction contract.

4-25    4.  A person who furnishes services under a contract awarded pursuant

4-26  to subsection 1 is a contractor subject to all provisions pertaining to a

4-27  contractor in Title 28 of NRS.

4-28    Sec. 10.  NRS 341.161 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-29    341.161  1.  The board may, with the approval of the interim finance

4-30  committee when the legislature is not in regular or special session, or with

4-31  the approval of the legislature by concurrent resolution when the legislature

4-32  is in regular or special session, let to a contractor licensed under chapter

4-33  624 of NRS a contract for services which assist the [architect] board in the

4-34  design and construction of a project of capital improvement. [The board

4-35  shall for that purpose participate in the development of plans, outlines of

4-36  specifications and estimates of costs.]

4-37    2.  The board shall adopt regulations establishing procedures for:

4-38    (a) The determination of the qualifications of contractors to bid for

4-39  contracts for services described in subsection 1.

4-40    (b) The bidding and awarding of such contracts, subject to the

4-41  provisions of subsection 3.

4-42    (c) The awarding of construction contracts, subject to the provisions of

4-43  subsection 4, based on a final cost of the project which the contractor

4-44  guarantees will not be exceeded.

4-45    (d) The scheduling and controlling of projects.

4-46    3.  Bids on contracts for services which assist the [architect] board in

4-47  the design and construction of a project of capital improvement must state

4-48  separately the contractor’s cost for:


5-1    (a) Assisting the [architect] board in the design and construction of the

5-2  project.

5-3    (b) Obtaining all bids for subcontracts.

5-4    (c) Administering the construction contract.

5-5    4.  A contractor who is:

5-6    (a) Qualified under the regulations of the board to bid for a contract for

5-7  services described in subsection 1; and

5-8    (b) Awarded that contract,

5-9  is entitled to be awarded the construction contract for the project if his

5-10  work under the contract for services is satisfactory to the board and he

5-11  guarantees a final cost for the project which the board is willing to accept.

5-12    5.  A person who furnishes services under a contract awarded pursuant

5-13  to subsection 1 is a contractor subject to all provisions pertaining to a

5-14  contractor in Title 28 of NRS.

5-15    Sec. 11.  NRS 218.6827 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-16    218.6827  1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, the

5-17  interim finance committee may exercise the powers conferred upon it by

5-18  law only when the legislature is not in regular or special session.

5-19    2.  During a regular session, the interim finance committee may also

5-20  perform the duties imposed on it by subsection 5 of NRS 284.115,

5-21  subsection 2 of NRS 321.335, NRS 322.007, subsection 2 of NRS 323.020,

5-22  NRS 323.050, subsection 1 of NRS 323.100, [subsection 1 of NRS

5-23  341.145,] NRS 353.220, 353.224, 353.2705 to 353.2771, inclusive, and

5-24  353.335, paragraph (b) of subsection 4 of NRS 407.0762, NRS 428.375,

5-25  439.630, subsection 6 of NRS 445B.830 and NRS 538.650. In performing

5-26  those duties, the senate standing committee on finance and the assembly

5-27  standing committee on ways and means may meet separately and transmit

5-28  the results of their respective votes to the chairman of the interim finance

5-29  committee to determine the action of the interim finance committee as a

5-30  whole.

5-31    3.  During a regular or special session, the interim finance committee

5-32  may exercise the powers and duties conferred upon it pursuant to the

5-33  provisions of NRS 353.2705 to 353.2771, inclusive.

5-34    4.  If the interim finance committee determines that a fundamental

5-35  review of the base budget of a state agency is necessary, it shall, by

5-36  resolution, notify the legislative commission of that finding for assignment

5-37  of the review to a legislative committee for the fundamental review of the

5-38  base budgets of state agencies established pursuant to NRS 218.5382.

5-39    Sec. 12.  NRS 232.215 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-40    232.215  The director:

5-41    1.  Shall appoint a chief of the:

5-42    (a) Risk management division;

5-43    (b) Buildings and grounds division;

5-44    (c) Purchasing division;

5-45    (d) State printing division;

5-46    (e) Administrative services division;

5-47    (f) Division of internal audits; and

5-48    (g) Motor pool division, if separately established.


6-1    2.  Shall appoint a chief of the budget division, or may serve in this

6-2  position if he has the qualifications required by NRS 353.175.

6-3    3.  Shall serve as chief of the hearings division and shall appoint the

6-4  hearing officers and compensation officers. The director may designate one

6-5  of the appeals officers in the division to supervise the administrative,

6-6  technical and procedural activities of the division.

6-7    4.  [Shall serve as chairman of the state public works board.

6-8    5.] Is responsible for the administration, through the divisions of the

6-9  department, of the provisions of chapters 331, 333, 336 and 344 of NRS,

6-10  NRS 353.150 to 353.246, inclusive, and 353A.031 to 353A.100, inclusive,

6-11  and all other provisions of law relating to the functions of the divisions of

6-12  the department.

6-13    [6.] 5.  Is responsible for the administration of the laws of this state

6-14  relating to the negotiation and procurement of medical services and other

6-15  benefits for state agencies.

6-16    [7.] 6.  Has such other powers and duties as are provided by law.

6-17    Sec. 13.  Notwithstanding the amendatory provisions of NRS 341.020,

6-18  each member of the state public works board continues to serve on the

6-19  board until the expiration of his term.

6-20    Sec. 14.  1.  This section and sections 1 to 9, inclusive, 11, 12 and 13

6-21  of this act become effective on July 1, 2001.

6-22    2.  Section 9 of this act expires by limitation on October 1, 2003.

6-23    3.  Section 10 of this act becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 1,

6-24  2003.

 

6-25  H