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HB423 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026
Low Interest

Summary

Session
Regular Session 2021
Title
Public contracts, wireless telecommunications contracts, further provided, Secs. 41-16-27, 41-16-51 am'd.
Summary

HB423 requires push-to-talk wireless contracts to be bid separately through a dedicated competitive bidding process by Alabama public entities.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the public contracting law to ensure push-to-talk (PTT) services are obtained via a separate bid process, not through the general bidding or multiple-award procedures. It clarifies that PTT contracts are excluded from certain multi-award arrangements and must go through their own competitive bidding. The rest of the procurement rules still apply to other purchases, and violations can void contracts and be punished as a Class C felony. The measure takes effect October 1, 2021.

Who It Affects
  • Public entities in Alabama (state agencies, counties, municipalities, and public colleges/universities) will have to bid push-to-talk services separately rather than using combined or multi-award purchasing processes.
  • Alabama-based vendors and providers that offer push-to-talk services will compete in a separate bidding process specifically for PTT contracts.
Key Provisions
  • Requires separate competitive bidding for the purchase of push-to-talk services (PTT) and excludes PTT from the 'multiple purchase contracts' provision.
  • Stays consistent with other bidding rules for non-PTT purchases, including public record-keeping and openness of bid records.
  • Violations of the procurement requirements remain void contracts and can result in a Class C felony.
  • Effective date of the new requirements: October 1, 2021.
AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects
Public Contracts

Bill Text

Votes

HBIR: Treadaway motion to Adopt Roll Call 684

April 7, 2021 House Passed
Yes 79
Abstained 2
Absent 22

Motion to Adopt Roll Call 685

April 7, 2021 House Passed
Yes 79
No 1
Abstained 1
Absent 22

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass Roll Call 686

April 7, 2021 House Passed
Yes 84
Abstained 2
Absent 17

SBIR: Waggoner motion to Adopt Roll Call 1046

April 20, 2021 Senate Passed
Yes 29
Absent 5

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass Roll Call 1047

April 20, 2021 Senate Passed
Yes 29
Absent 5

Documents

Source: Alabama Legislature