House Bill 429 Summary

• Repeals existing Chapter 10, Title 44, Idaho Code and replaces it with the "Idaho Purchasing Act" establishing new public works contracting requirements.

• Requires state and local government contracts for public works to be awarded to certified resident contractors, with preference given to the lowest responsible resident bidder unless their bid exceeds the lowest nonresident bid by more than 5%.

• Defines "resident" contractors through six criteria including individuals with 1+ year state residency, partnerships where all members are residents, and corporations with majority resident ownership or 1+ year state presence with resident presidents.

• Mandates preference for Idaho labor, materials, and agricultural products in public contracts and construction projects, with up to 5% cost differential allowed for Idaho materials on contracts under $5 million.

• Establishes capital construction project restrictions requiring construction managers and design builders to award at least 70% of subcontract work to Idaho resident contractors, with waivers available for specialized work or insufficient resident bids, and requires 5% preference for Idaho resident suppliers in procurements.