The proposed bill would amend current statutes related to procurement by introducing new provisions that allow individuals or organizations to withdraw a referendum petition filed with a city or town before it qualifies for the ballot. Specifically, it would insert a new section that mandates the director to provide a question and answer period for bidders and interested parties outside of the procurement process, ensuring that all questions and answers are documented and shared with all relevant parties. Additionally, the bill would retroactively apply the notice of withdrawal authorization to all written notices filed since January 1, 2026, and prohibit the counting of votes for any referendum from which a withdrawal notice has been filed.

Furthermore, the bill would make several changes to existing language in the procurement statutes. It would replace the term "permitted" with "allowed" in various contexts, clarify the conditions under which bid corrections can occur, and adjust the language regarding the award of contracts to ensure clarity. The bill also updates the dollar amount thresholds for certain procurements to $100,000, ensuring that small businesses are prioritized in these processes. Overall, these updates aim to streamline the procurement process and enhance transparency and accountability in municipal referendums.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-2533, 41-2535, 41-2573, 41-2532, 41-2513, 41-2578, 41-2579, 41-2581, 41-2534
House Engrossed Version: 41-2533, 41-2535, 41-2573, 41-2532, 41-2513, 41-2578, 41-2579, 41-2581, 41-2534