HB504 Summary

• Amends Section 16-13B-2 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to expand exemptions from competitive bidding requirements for local boards of education.

• Adds exemption for purchases of goods through any competitive bid nationwide cooperative purchasing program or other national or regional governmental cooperative purchasing program, in addition to the existing National Association of Counties program.

• Requires that cooperative purchasing exemptions only apply when goods are not available on the state purchasing program or are available at equal or lower prices, and purchases must be made through Alabama vendors with Alabama business licenses when available.

• Excludes goods requiring service or service contracts from the cooperative purchasing exemption, unless those contracts are already subject to competitive bidding requirements or exemptions under the chapter.

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