SB234 Summary

• Amends Section 41-16-50 of the Code of Alabama 1975 regarding competitive bidding requirements for personal property purchases by counties and municipalities.

• Increases the local preference threshold from 3 percent to 5 percent, allowing awarding authorities to award contracts to resident bidders within an established local preference zone when their bids are no more than 5 percent greater than the lowest bid.

• Local preference zones may be defined as the awarding authority's legal boundaries, the county boundaries, or the Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA) in which the authority is located.

• Applies to purchases and leases of materials, equipment, supplies, or personal property valued at $15,000 or more by counties, municipalities, school districts, state educational institutions, and utility boards.

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