HB243 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chris SellsRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Transportation Dept, competitive bids, min. requirement increased for projects over $250,000, Sec. 39-2-2 am'd.
Summary: The bill lets Alabama's Department of Transportation award small road projects without sealed bids if they are $250,000 or less and listed on the DOT website for at least seven days, with a yearly cap of $1,000,000 for such non-bid awards.
What This Bill Does
Under current law, most public works contracts above $50,000 must be advertised for sealed bids. The bill adds an exception for the DOT: small road projects (≤ $250,000) can be awarded without bidding if they are listed on the DOT website for at least seven days. The total value of these non-bid projects cannot exceed $1,000,000 in a calendar year. This exception is limited to road construction or maintenance projects and does not change bidding rules for other public works.

Who It Affects
Alabama Department of Transportation (DOT) – gains authority to award certain small road projects without sealed bids when the listing conditions and annual cap are met.
Private construction contractors/bidders for DOT projects – may have fewer opportunities to bid on some small DOT road projects if they are not listed or do not meet the criteria, while others may gain access to listed projects without a bid process.

Key Provisions
Allows DOT to let road construction or maintenance contracts without advertising for sealed bids for projects not exceeding $250,000 if the project is listed on the DOT website for at least seven calendar days before entering into the contract.
Total amount of such non-advertised contracts may not exceed $1,000,000 in aggregate per year.
Maintains the general bidding requirements for other public works projects and clarifies the non-advertised exception is specific to DOT and road projects.
Effective immediately upon the Governor's signature.

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