AL HB436

Grants preferred vendor status with Priority #1 ranking to small businesses certified under the federal HUBZone program on all state contracts for state agencies and departments.

Allows state awarding authorities to award contracts to preferred vendors whose bids are no more than 5% higher than the lowest responsible bidder.

Requires small businesses certified under the federal HUBZone program to receive from the state any benefits that the federal government offers to such businesses, provided the state grants those same benefits to other businesses.

Applies to state contracts valued at $7,500 or more for labor, services, work, or purchase/lease of materials, equipment, supplies, and personal property, excluding public works contracts governed exclusively by Title 39.

Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.