House Bill 656 Summary

• Modifies Section 67-9229 to limit judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act to only contested case appeals conducted under Section 67-9232(3)(a)(iii).

• Establishes that vendors who submit bids have standing to intervene and participate in purchase appeals and challenges from final orders in contested cases.

• Adds new provisions to Section 67-9232 regarding lowest responsible bidder determinations, including suspension of filing deadlines when bidders request public records related to the solicitation.

• Creates judicial review procedures for lowest responsible bidder decisions, requiring petitions to be filed within 28 days and limiting court review to specific grounds including constitutional violations, excess authority, unlawful procedure, lack of substantial evidence, and arbitrary or capricious action.

• Declares an emergency and makes the act effective July 1, 2024.