The bill amends sections 43-07-12 and 48-01.2-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, focusing on the requirements for bids related to public contract projects and the contents of advertisements for public improvement projects. It introduces a new requirement that all bids must include a copy of the contractor's current license enclosed in the bid bond envelope, and specifies that contracts cannot be awarded to contractors who do not hold the appropriate license at least ten days prior to the bid submission date. Additionally, the bill clarifies that this licensing requirement does not apply to bids submitted to the Department of Transportation, the Public Service Commission, or for federal aid highway funds.

In terms of advertisement content for bids, the bill mandates that advertisements must state the nature of the work, the location of the proposed improvement, and the details regarding the opening of bids. It also requires that each bid be accompanied by a separate envelope containing the contractor's license and bid security, which must be five percent of the bid amount. The bill removes previous provisions that allowed for exceptions regarding licensing for municipal, rural, and industrial water supply projects, thereby standardizing the requirements across different types of projects. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the bidding process for public contracts in North Dakota.

Statutes affected:
PREFILED: 48-01.2-05
Adopted by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: 43-07-12, 48-01.2-05
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 43-07-12, 48-01.2-05
Enrollment: 43-07-12, 48-01.2-05
INTRODUCED: 48-01.2-05