HB 1281 Summary

• Creates section 255.0991 to grant preference to local Florida businesses in competitive bid contracts for construction, printing, and goods/services when their bid is within 10 percent of the lowest bid or within an established dollar threshold.

• Allows agencies, universities, colleges, school districts, and political subdivisions to offer both the local business and lowest bidder an opportunity to submit best and final bids, with contract awarded to lowest bidder; ties go to local business.

• Defines "local business" as an entity with its principal place of business in Florida for at least 1 year and at least 60 percent of employees residing in the state at contract award time.

• Imposes 2-year penalty on businesses that intentionally misrepresent local business qualifications; exempts small business solicitations, emergency procurements, single-source contracts, and federally-funded transportation projects from preference requirements.

• Amends sections 283.35 and 287.084 to apply similar local business preferences to printing services and personal property purchases; effective July 1, 2014.