MS HB540

Requires the Department of Finance and Administration to conduct personal and professional services solicitations exceeding $75,000 for the Department of Marine Resources, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, and Mississippi Development Authority, effective July 1, 2024.

Confers upon the Department of Finance and Administration all powers previously held by these four agencies to comply with personal and professional services solicitation requirements.

Requires the Department of Finance and Administration to make submissions to the Public Procurement Review Board on behalf of these four agencies for solicitations exceeding $75,000.

Adds new duties to the Department of Finance and Administration to establish rules prohibiting agencies from requiring vendors be located in the same municipality or giving location-based preferences, with winning bidders given reasonable opportunity to open Mississippi offices.

Provision expires June 30, 2027; effective date is July 1, 2023.