The bill amends Section 103 of the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974, specifically addressing local bid preferences for public construction contracts. It mandates that counties, cities, and other local government units must provide a local bid preference of up to five percent for contracts exceeding $100,000, provided that the local bidder agrees to perform the contract at the same price and terms as the nonlocal bidder. Additionally, the local bidder must be the second lowest qualified bid for the preference to apply. The bill also clarifies that local bidders must be authorized to conduct business in the state and maintain a bona fide establishment within it.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the conditions under which public agencies can award contracts, including stipulations for contracts under $100,000 and the use of purchasing cooperatives. It emphasizes compliance with the Public Competitive Bidding Act for contractors affiliated with purchasing cooperatives and allows local governmental units to create or contract with purchasing cooperatives to achieve better contract terms. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 61-103
Floor (House): 61-103
Floor (Senate): 61-103
Engrossed: 61-103
Enrolled (final version): 61-103