The bill amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to improve the procedures for protesting competitive bid contracts. Key provisions include the introduction of a "notice of intent to protest," which must be filed with the Chief Procurement Officer within five calendar days of a solicitation or its amendment. Following this notice, the aggrieved party has seven calendar days to submit a formal written protest. If the protest is not resolved within ten days, the Chief Procurement Officer is required to conduct an administrative review and issue a decision within fourteen days. Furthermore, the state is prohibited from proceeding with the solicitation or awarding a contract during the protest period unless a written determination is made that immediate action is necessary to protect the state's interests.

The bill also revises the requirements for disclosure statements related to contracts and grants involving public officials and employees. It allows for the establishment of shared electronic systems for submitting these statements and mandates that the information be certified by the vendor or grant recipient, which can now be done electronically. The filing process is clarified, ensuring that disclosure statements are retained as required by the State Records Commission and are available for audit. The bill specifies exemptions for certain contracts, such as those with publicly traded companies, and clarifies that it does not apply to individuals or entities that do not receive state funds under a grant or contract. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41-4-161, 41-4-164, 41-16-82, 41-16-83, 41-16-85, 41-16-87
Engrossed: 41-4-161, 41-4-164, 41-16-82, 41-16-83, 41-16-85, 41-16-87