HB 250 Summary

• Department of Education must adopt rules incorporating geographic preference for unprocessed locally grown and locally raised agricultural products in school food program procurement.

• Rules must comply with federal guidance on geographic preference per the April 22, 2011 final rule (76 Federal Register 22603, et seq.).

• Department must post procurement policies, all solicitations, and awarded contracts on its website, particularly those involving geographic preference for locally grown products.

• Procurement rules must include requirements for quality, delivery, best value, sustainability, nutritional value, and past performance evaluation; prohibit cost-plus-percentage pricing; and establish dispute resolution processes.

• Geographic preference in contracting cannot supersede competitive bidding requirements; effective July 1, 3000.