This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to enhance the bidding process for public construction contracts by allowing political subdivisions to hire the "lowest responsible bidder" instead of just the lowest bidder. The bill introduces new definitions, including "lowest responsible bidder," which refers to a bidder whose proposal meets all specifications without irregularities and demonstrates the ability to execute the contract effectively. Additionally, the bill defines "project labor agreement" as a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with labor unions that sets employment terms for specific construction projects.

Furthermore, the bill grants political subdivisions the authority to establish their own regulations regarding the bidding process and allows them to enter into project labor agreements with contractors. It also stipulates that the apparent low bidder for contracts over $250,000 must submit a list of subcontractors, and failure to do so may result in disqualification. The bill emphasizes the importance of compliance with state laws and the necessity for bidders to be free from any monetary obligations owed to the state or its subdivisions. Overall, the proposed changes aim to improve the fairness and efficiency of the public construction bidding process in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-22-1