SB156 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

William “Bill” M. BeasleyQuinton RossBobby D. SingletonVivian Davis FiguresJerry L. Fielding

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Contracts, Preference given to in-state bidder on certain public works contracts

Summary

SB156 would require awarding authorities for certain public works to favor bidders who meet Alabama-based workforce, licensing, vehicle, and supplier requirements, with payroll recordkeeping and possible emergency waivers.

What This Bill Does

It creates new preference rules for public works bids funded by state or local funds (not federal) that require at least 50% of the project's workers to hold Alabama driver’s licenses or DPS IDs and that bidders have a valid Alabama business license and use vehicles registered and partly apportioned in Alabama. It also requires that at least 50% of design professionals have Alabama licenses/IDs and that at least 25% of material suppliers come from Alabama, and it mandates payroll records be kept and available for inspection. The Governor can waive these requirements in emergencies, with documentation of the emergency and the basis for the contractor selection, and the act takes effect a few months after passage.

Who It Affects

• Bidders/contractors competing for Alabama public works projects: must meet the Alabama-specific workforce, licensing, vehicle, and supplier criteria to earn preference and must maintain payroll records.
• Alabama workers, design professionals, and suppliers: their residency/licensing status and location of work or materials determine eligibility for preference and the extent of work and purchases coming from Alabama.

Key Provisions

• Preference is given to bidders whose workforce on the project is at least 50% Alabama residents with Alabama driver’s licenses or Alabama DPS IDs, who also hold a valid Alabama business license, and use vehicles primarily for the project that are registered and partially apportioned in Alabama.
• If design professionals are used, at least 50% must have an Alabama driver’s license or an Alabama DPS ID.
• At least 25% of the suppliers of materials used for the public work must be located in Alabama.
• Each awarded bidder must maintain payroll records related to the public works project and make them available for inspection.
• The Governor may waive any requirement in emergencies, with conditions and a posted statement of facts and the basis for the waiver, and the award of contracts must still seek practical competition.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Contracts