The bill amends West Virginia Code §17-4-19, which governs the advertisement and contracting process for construction and materials related to state roads and bridges. It eliminates the requirement for legal advertisements in newspapers, instead mandating that advertisements be published on the West Virginia Department of Transportation's website at least 14 calendar days prior to any contracting or letting. Additionally, the Commissioner of the Division of Highways is authorized to publish these advertisements in any print or digital media and on platforms approved by the commissioner.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that if the estimated contract amount is less than $3,000, the commissioner is not required to advertise in newspapers but may award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder if two or more sealed proposals are received. The bill also updates the provisions regarding contractor qualifications, stating that vendors debarred under specific sections of the code are ineligible to bid on contracts. Overall, these changes aim to streamline the contracting process for state road projects while maintaining transparency and competition.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17-4-19
Committee Substitute: 17-4-19