HB523 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Napoleon BracyRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to public contracts; to amend Section 41-16-51, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for contracts for which competitive bidding is not required; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

Summary

HB523 would expand exemptions from competitive bidding for public contracts in Alabama, adding computer software and certain law-enforcement equipment/services, and would create penalties for bidding violations.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, HB523 would broaden the list of public contracts exempt from competitive bidding by adding purchases of computer programs and software and equipment and services to aid in crime prevention and detection by law enforcement and community policing. It would keep and expand existing exemptions under Section 41-16-51. It would also create a new crime where contracts entered into in violation of these bidding rules are void and violators could be charged with a Class C felony. The bill also notes it is exempt from the local-expenditure rules of Section 111.05 due to a constitutional exception and would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Local governments and public entities in Alabama (counties, municipalities, and others) would be able to bypass competitive bidding for the newly exempt purchases, potentially speeding up procurement in those categories.
• Vendors and suppliers of computer software, hardware, and equipment for law enforcement and community policing would have expanded procurement opportunities due to the added exemptions.

Key Provisions

• Expands competitive bidding exemptions to include the purchase of computer programs, software applications, and equipment/services to aid in the prevention and detection of criminal activity by law enforcement and community policing programs.
• Maintains and adds numerous exemptions already listed in Section 41-16-51(a), detailing categories of contracts not requiring competitive bidding (e.g., certain professional services, security-related purchases, cooperative purchasing, etc.).
• Creates a legal penalty: contracts entered into in violation of these bidding rules are void and violators are guilty of a Class C felony.
• States that the bill is exempt from the local-expenditure requirements of Section 111.05 due to a constitutional exception and specifies an effective date of the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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