HB 668 Summary

• Authorizes state agencies, higher education institutions, counties, townships, municipalities, school districts, community schools, STEM schools, and college-preparatory boarding schools to enter into public-private agreements for design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of public facilities.

• Allows public bodies to solicit and select private entities through sealed bidding or competitive proposal selection based on qualifications and best value, with multiple evaluation criteria including cost, design feasibility, entity qualifications, and public benefits.

• Permits unsolicited proposals from private entities if independently developed, beneficial to public, and sufficiently detailed, requiring public advertising and competitive comparison before acceptance.

• Facilities remain publicly owned unless public body elects private ownership through lease agreements up to 40 years, with complete reversion to public body in good condition at lease expiration.

• Facilities and materials used exclusively for them are exempt from ad valorem property taxes and sales taxes; exempts public-private agreements from competitive bidding requirements; allows public bodies to use federal, state, local, and private funds for financing.