Construction Contracting Bill (CS/CS/HB 897)

• Bond requirements: Contractors must state bond number on first page of bond; public entities cannot pay contractors until receiving certified copy of recorded bond (effective October 1, 2012)

• Bond protections: Provisions limiting bond duration, expanding duration, or adding conditions precedent are unenforceable; payment bonds must reference statutory notice and time limitation provisions

• Public bid transparency: Requires state, counties, municipalities, and public bodies to open sealed bids at public meetings, announce bidder names and prices, and make bidder information available upon request

• Service requirements: Changes notice requirements from mailing to serving notices of contest of claims and liens; permits service by certified mail, overnight delivery, or posting on improvement site

• Contractor certification deadlines: Revives grandfathering provisions for registered contractors to obtain certification, setting November 1, 2015 as the application deadline