HB524 Summary

• Amends Section 39-2-6, Code of Alabama 1975, to extend preference provisions for public works contracts exceeding $50,000 to match those available for contracts exceeding $15,000.

• Authorizes counties, municipalities, and their instrumentalities to establish local preference zones based on legal boundaries, county boundaries, or Core Based Statistical Areas to favor local bidders.

• Allows awarding authorities to award contracts to local responsible bidders whose bids are no more than 5 percent greater than the lowest responsible bidder's bid.

• Permits awarding authorities to award contracts to in-state responsible bidders (woman-owned, small business, minority-owned, veteran-owned, or disadvantaged-owned enterprises) whose bids are no more than 10 percent greater than a foreign entity's lowest bid.

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