CS/CS/HB 279 Summary

• Amends the Public Bid Disclosure Act to require local governments to disclose all permits and fees contractors must pay before or during construction in bidding documents, requests for proposals, or contracts, with disclosure required at least 10 days before final fixed price submission.

• Revises the definition of "cost" for public construction projects to include employee compensation and benefits, equipment costs and maintenance, insurance costs, materials (including those purchased by local government), plus a 20 percent factor for management, overhead, and indirect costs.

• Requires local governments to conduct public meetings with 21 days' notice before deciding to perform projects using their own services and employees, with detailed cost itemization made available for public inspection and consideration of accuracy.

• Mandates local governments provide annual reports to their governing boards detailing estimated versus actual costs of projects performed by local staff, with the Auditor General required to review these reports during audits.

• Applies the comprehensive cost accounting methodology to county road and bridge projects, including sidewalks and accessibility improvements under $400,000, requiring inclusion of all labor, equipment, materials, and indirect costs in project estimates.

• Effective date: July 1, 2020.