CS/HB 307 Summary

• Creates section 255.0991 to authorize agencies, universities, colleges, school districts, and political subdivisions to grant preference to Florida businesses in competitive bidding for construction services contracts.

• Grants a preference equal to what the lowest bidder's home state provides, or 5 percent if the lowest bidder's state grants no preference; exempts transportation projects funded with federal aid.

• For construction projects funded wholly or partly with state appropriations, preempts local ordinances restricting certified contractors based on office location, local hiring, or prior local tax payments; requires disclosure of state funding in solicitation documents.

• Requires vendors with principal places of business outside Florida to submit written legal opinions from their home state regarding that state's procurement preferences.

• Expands section 287.084 to include counties and municipalities in the same preference requirements for personal property purchases, effective July 1, 2013.