SB234 is a bill that amends Section 41-16-51 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to expand exemptions to competitive bidding requirements for certain entities and situations. The bill exempts county public building authorities from competitive bidding and clarifies that utility services with fixed rates are not subject to competitive bids. It lists exemptions for contracts requiring individual professional skill, civil service employment contracts, financial services, purchases from the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, and others. A new exemption is introduced for transactions between a municipality and a governmental entity, and the bill specifies that the article does not apply to purchases with regulated prices, purchases by individual schools from non-taxation monies, and transactions involving medical clinic boards, public hospitals, nursing homes, and public building authorities under certain chapters of Title 11. It also exempts purchases necessary for the operation of waterworks, sewer, gas, or electric systems owned by municipalities, counties, or public corporations. The bill includes tags to indicate new legal language but does not show any tags. The bill also addresses procurement processes for state educational institutions, local government bodies, and other entities, outlining exemptions for local housing authorities using non-tax funds and services for law enforcement agencies. It requires state trade schools, junior colleges, state colleges, universities, district boards of education, county commissions, and municipal governing bodies to establish purchasing facilities and procedures in line with competitive bidding requirements. Contracts in violation of the article will be void, and violators will face Class C felony charges. SB234 is scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2024, and includes signatures from legislative officers and certification of its passage through the Senate and House of Representatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41-16-51
Engrossed: 41-16-51
Enrolled: 41-16-51