HB504 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim CarnsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Education, exemption from competitive bidding for cooperative purchasing programs expanded to other such programs, Sec. 16-13B-2 am'd

Summary

HB504 expands competitive bidding exemptions for Alabama local boards of education to include additional cooperative purchasing programs, with safeguards and penalties.

What This Bill Does

The bill broadens exemptions from competitive bidding for county and city boards of education to cover more cooperative purchasing programs. It allows purchases through national or regional purchasing cooperatives, but only if a competitive bid process approved by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts was used, the goods are available on or cheaper than the state purchasing program, and the purchase is made through an Alabama vendor with a license if one exists. Violations of these exemptions can render contracts void and may constitute a Class C felony, and the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education (county and city) in Alabama, who gain expanded authority to use cooperative purchasing programs without bid requirements under specified conditions.
• Vendors and suppliers, particularly Alabama-based vendors, who may participate in cooperative purchasing programs and are subject to oversight and eligibility requirements for such purchases.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-13B-2 to expand exemptions from competitive bidding for local boards of education to additional cooperative purchasing programs.
• Adds exemptions for contracts or purchases made through national or regional cooperative purchasing programs, with conditions: (a) goods obtained via a competitive bid process approved by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, (b) goods not available on the state purchasing program or available at equal/ lower price, and (c) purchases made through a participating Alabama vendor with a state license if available.
• Includes existing exemptions (such as sole-source contracts, security-related purchases, and certain professional services) and clarifies new categories (11-13) as part of the exemption list.
• Notable prohibitions/remedies: contracts that violate the chapter are void and violators can be guilty of a Class C felony.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education