HB320 Summary

• Amends Section 41-16-20 of the Alabama Code to grant preferred vendor status to small businesses certified under the federal HUBZone program in state contract bidding.

• Gives HUBZone-certified small businesses the highest preference priority (#1) on all contracts awarded by state agencies and departments.

• Allows state awarding authorities to award contracts to HUBZone vendors if their bid is no more than 5 percent higher than the lowest responsible bidder.

• Requires HUBZone-certified small businesses to receive from the state any benefit that the federal government offers to such businesses, if the state grants that benefit to other businesses.

• Takes effect on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.