SB72 Summary

• Authorizes city and county boards of education to purchase goods or services for the Child Nutrition Program without competitive bidding during emergencies, unanticipated events affecting public health/safety, or supply chain disruptions.

• Requires recommendation from the State Superintendent of Education and approval from the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts before purchases can be made without bidding.

• Any emergency exemption from bidding is limited to 60 days, after which purchases must comply with competitive bid laws.

• Extends the same emergency purchasing authority to other public educational entities subject to competitive bidding requirements.

• Requires purchases to include minority-owned business enterprise representation where possible and mandates accurate record-keeping of all expenditures made under this authority.