HB139 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Becky Nordgren

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Competitive bids by co. and city bds of ed and gov't entities, exclusion for purchases through cooperative purchasing agreements to include leases and lease/purchase agreements, Secs. 16-13B-2, 41-16-51 am'd.

Summary

HB 139 would extend the cooperative purchasing exclusion to cover leases and lease-purchase agreements for government purchases in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It amends sections for city and county boards of education and other government entities to explicitly exclude leases and lease/purchase agreements from competitive bidding when purchases are made through national or regional cooperative purchasing programs. To qualify, the purchase or lease must come from a cooperative bid process approved by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, be available through an Alabama vendor with a license, and have a price equal to or below the state purchasing program, with the Examiners notified of compliance. The change applies to both education boards and other state/local agencies. Existing penalties for violations remain in place if rules are not followed.

Who It Affects

• City and county boards of education would be able to obtain leases through cooperative purchasing without triggering traditional bidding, if conditions are met.
• Other state and local government agencies would have the same ability for leases via cooperatives, subject to the same conditions.

Key Provisions

• Leases and lease/purchase agreements are added to the cooperative purchasing exclusions.
• Eligibility criteria for coop purchases: bid process approved by Examiners; price not higher than the state program; purchase through an Alabama vendor with license; Examiners must certify compliance.
• Applies to §16-13B-2 (local boards of education) and §41-16-51 (state/local agencies).
• Effective immediately upon governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Competitive Bids