House Bill 1320 amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to transportation, specifically focusing on the evaluation and selection process for proposals. Key changes include the deletion of the word "independently" and the substitution of "averaged" with "compiled" in the evaluation criteria. The bill also revises the scoring process for proposals, requiring that scores be tallied and compiled according to the established procedure in the Request for Proposals (RFP). Additionally, it mandates that the commissioner must provide written notice of award to the best-evaluated proposer, including a copy of the compiled scores from the selection committee.

Furthermore, the bill grants the commissioner expanded authority to enter into contracts during transportation emergencies, allowing for alternative delivery contracts and waiving certain bidding provisions. It also modifies reporting requirements, stating that the department is not required to identify contracts under this section in the annual transportation improvement program but must notify key legislative leaders and file documentation with the fiscal review committee. The bill establishes different effective dates for various sections, with most provisions taking effect on July 1, 2025, and specific sections related to scoring taking effect on July 1, 2029.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 54-1-504(b)(3)(D), 54-1-504, 54-1-504(b)(3)(E), 54-1-504(b)(3)(F)(iii), 54-1-504(b)(3)(F)(i), 54-1-506, 54-1-135(a), 54-1-135