SB149 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Section 39-2-2 to provide procedures for awarding public works contracts exceeding $100,000 when a newspaper fails to publish required sealed bid advertisements.

• Allows an awarding authority to proceed with a contract if the advertisement was submitted to a newspaper in good faith and the newspaper failed to publish, provided the authority publishes the advertisement for at least three consecutive weeks on a centralized website or mails it to registered bidders and posts notice on a centralized website.

• Removes criminal liability for advertisers who negligently fail to publish or confirm public notice advertisements, while establishing civil liability capped at double the agreed-upon price if negligence causes a contract to be voided or re-advertised.

• Maintains that willful violations of public works law remain Class C felonies, except for negligent failures by advertisers.

• Becomes effective October 1, 2025.