SB72 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jack W. WilliamsSenator
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Gerald H. Allen William “Bill” M. Beasley Tom Butler Clyde Chambliss Donnie Chesteen Linda Coleman-Madison Chris Elliott Vivian Davis Figures Sam Givhan Andrew Jones Steve Livingston Del Marsh Tim Melson Randy Price Greg J. Reed Malika Sanders-Fortier Clay Scofield David Sessions Bobby D. Singleton Rodger Smitherman Larry Stutts J.T. Waggoner April Weaver
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Public contracts, exemption from certain bid requirements for certain educational entities providing meals under the Child Nutrition Program, Secs. 16-13B-2.1, 41-16-51.2 added.
Summary: SB72 allows certain public educational entities to buy meals-related goods or services for the Child Nutrition Program without bidding during emergencies, for up to 60 days, with specific oversight and recordkeeping requirements.
What This Bill Does
It creates two new exemptions to bidding—one for city or county boards of education (16-13B-2.1) and one for other public educational entities (41-16-51.2)—to allow purchases related to the Child Nutrition Program without advertising or bidding when there is an emergency or supply-chain disruption. Purchases must be approved by the State Superintendent of Education and the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, should include minority-owned business representation when possible, and are limited to 60 days with detailed expenditure records. The bill also encourages, when practicable, adherence to advertising/bidding rules and requires maintaining accurate records of all expenditures.

Who It Affects
City or county boards of education that provide meals under the Child Nutrition Program (may purchase without bidding during emergencies).
Other public educational entities that provide meals under the Child Nutrition Program (may purchase without bidding during emergencies).
Minority-owned business enterprises (purchases should include representation of minority-owned businesses where possible).
State education authorities (State Superintendent of Education and Department of Examiners of Public Accounts) (they recommend/approve emergency purchases and oversee the process).

Key Provisions
Adds Section 16-13B-2.1: during emergencies, affected boards may purchase goods or services for the Child Nutrition Program without bidding for up to 60 days, with approval and a factual emergency statement, and with attempts to include minority-owned business representation; records must be kept.
Adds Section 41-16-51.2: mirrors the emergency-bid exemption for public educational entities under the Child Nutrition Program, with the same 60-day limit, approval process, minority representation, and recordkeeping.
Requires, when practicable, compliance with advertising/bidding rules and mandates accurate, fully itemized expenditure records.
Effective immediately upon the Governor's signature.

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