SB215 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Contract Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee, state agencies to provide certain documents for mass publication to this committee for approval, Secs. 29-2-40, 29-2-41, 29-2-41.3 am'd.

Summary

SB215 would create a Contract and Publication Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee and require state agencies to obtain prior approval for certain contracts and mass-publishing efforts.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires state agencies to submit proposed contracts for personal or professional services (with cost itemizations) or a letter of intent to contract to the new committee, which must review and comment within 45 days. It also requires agencies to submit publications intended for mass distribution (with cost itemizations) or a letter of intent to publish to the committee, which must review within 90 days. If a contract is signed without prior committee review, it would be void ab initio; publications that bypass review could be deemed compliant after the review window, and violations must be reported to House and Senate chairs. The committee would have subpoena power, monthly meetings, and coordination with the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts for information.

Who It Affects

• State agencies and departments: must submit contracts for personal or professional services and mass publications to the committee for prior review, with timelines and potential penalties for non-compliance.
• Contractors, service providers, publishers, and other private entities: their agreements or publications with state agencies could be conditioned on committee review, cost itemizations, and potential changes or delays to satisfy review requirements.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Contract and Publication Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee with specified legislative members.
• Requires agencies to submit proposed contracts for personal/professional services (with cost estimates) or letters of intent to contract for prior committee review; requires similar submission for publications intended for mass distribution (with cost estimates) or letters of intent to publish.
• Establishes review timelines: 45 days for contracts and 90 days for publications, with deeming provisions for compliance if the committee does not review within the timeframe; contracts lacking prior review are void ab initio.
• Authorizes the committee to issue subpoenas and receive assistance from the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts; requires regular monthly meetings.
• Sets exclusions: certain contracts (insurance, competitive bids, contracts by public corporations/authorities, contracts under $1,500) and certain publications (costing under $100 or distributed electronically) are not subject to these review provisions.
• Effective date: October 1, 2015.

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

Subjects

Contract Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee