With certain exceptions, the Local Government Purchasing Act governs the purchasing of supplies, materials, equipment and services by local governments. (Chapter 332 of NRS) The State Purchasing Act, which is administered by the Purchasing Division of the Department of Administration, governs the purchasing of supplies, materials, equipment and services by agencies of the Executive Department of the State Government, with certain exceptions. (Chapter 333 of NRS) Sections 1 and 2 of this bill require the governing body of a local government and the Administrator of the Purchasing Division, respectively, to post prominently on their Internet websites: (1) information relating to the types of supplies, materials, equipment and services which are purchased by the local government or for state agencies, as applicable; and (2) procedures by which a person may request notice of solicitations or other methods of obtaining contracts for such purchases.
Existing law creates the Regional Business Development Advisory Council for Clark County and requires the Council to propose and implement policies, programs and procedures to encourage and promote the use of local businesses owned and operated by disadvantaged persons, particularly in the area of contracting and procurement by public agencies in Clark County. (Sections 15 and 20 of chapter 7, Statutes of Nevada 2003, 20th Special Session, at pages 268 and 269) Section 15 of this bill abolishes the Regional Business Development Advisory Council for Clark County, and sections 4-11 of this bill create the Nevada Diverse Business Advisory Council, which has similar duties but a broader membership than the former Council for Clark County. Section 8 prescribes the voting membership of the new Council, including: (1) a representative of each county whose population is 100,000 or more (currently Clark and Washoe Counties); (2) representatives from within each such county of cities whose population is 7,000 or more (currently Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Reno and Sparks), school districts, county fair and recreation boards, law enforcement agencies, library districts, health districts, aviation agencies, regional transportation commissions and water, wastewater and flood control agencies; (3) representatives of associations of counties and cities; (4) representatives of institutions of the Nevada System of Higher Education; and (5) the Administrator of the Purchasing Division. Section 8 also authorizes the participation of other public and private entities as nonvoting members. Sections 9 and 10 provide for the officers, meetings and expenses of the new Council. Section 11: (1) sets forth the duties of the new Council, including recommending policies, programs and procedures in the area of purchasing by public agencies to encourage and promote the use of businesses primarily owned and operated by a person who is a member of a racial or ethnic minority, female or a veteran or has a physical disability, or who identifies as LGBTQ; and (2) requires the submission of certain biennial reports by member entities and the Council. Section 12 of this bill makes a conforming change as a result of the abolishment of the Regional Business Development Advisory Council for Clark County and the creation of the Nevada Diverse Business Advisory Council.