Recent high-profile issues have revealed a need for better accountability of contracts and projects funded by taxpayer dollars. House Bill 2375 will improve oversight of these big contracts, ensuring more efficient and transparent use of public funds.
“Oregon taxpayers expect accountability and efficiency in how public funds are used, and they have sent us here in order to ensure that their money is used in the most effective way possible,” says Rep. Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene), who sponsored the bill.
Currently, dozens of agencies design and write their own contracts, with varying requirements, style and content. HB 2375 will require agencies to start with standard language approved by experts in purchasing and in the law. This will mean that the contracts start out on the right foot. It will also make the bidding process easier for contracting firms, who will be able to standardize much of their bid submissions.
Additionally, HB 2375 requires better training of contract managers. There are many state employees who end up managing contracts as a part of their daily job. This bill will make sure that they have the training and the resources to appropriately manage those contracts, to be sure the service or product is living up to expectations and utilizing tax dollars in the most effective and efficient way possible.
The bill is a continuation of Representative Nathanson’s efforts to improve government transparency and accountability. HB 4122 from the 2014 session requires third-party, outside quality assurance for state Information Technology projects and for those oversight reports to go directly to multiple parties to ensure quick response when problems start to surface.
“House Bill 2375 raises the bar for both drafting contracts, and for managing them,” adds Rep. Nathanson. “It will give the legislature—and the public—the tools to improve oversight and results: better contracts and better contract administration.”
HB 2375 passed unanimously and now heads to the Senate.
