HB189 Summary

• Expands advertising methods for public works contracts exceeding $100,000 to include centralized website posting, direct mail/email to registered bidders, and electronic means in addition to newspaper publication.

• Provides safe harbor for state, county, and municipal awarding authorities that use multiple advertising methods where one method fails through no fault of the authority—advertisement requirement is deemed satisfied.

• Creates special safe harbor for Department of Transportation allowing it to satisfy advertising requirements by using one approved method plus website posting if the primary method fails without departmental fault.

• Allows municipalities with no local newspaper to use bulletin board posting combined with U.S. mail or electronic mail to registered bidders, with notice also published on centralized or local government website.

• Becomes effective October 1, 2025.