SB291 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

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

SB291 broadens exemptions from competitive bidding for public purchases by adding computer software and crime-prevention/law-enforcement equipment, and it notes the measure is exempt from the constitutional local-funds requirement because it creates a crime-related exception.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 41-16-51 to expand the list of exemptions from competitive bidding for public contracts. It adds two new exempt categories: purchases of computer programs and software applications, and contracts for equipment and services to aid in preventing and detecting criminal activity by law enforcement and community policing programs. It preserves existing exemptions and purchasing provisions, including cooperative purchasing under certain conditions. It also establishes that violations of the act would be a Class C felony and explains the constitutional exemption from local-funds requirements; it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Local governments and public entities in Alabama (counties, municipalities, and related state and local agencies) that purchase goods or services, who would be able to bypass competitive bidding for the newly exempt categories.
• Vendors and contractors that supply computer software, software applications, and crime-prevention/law-enforcement equipment or services, who could pursue contracts under the new exemptions without standard bidding processes.

Key Provisions

• Adds exemption in Section 41-16-51(a) for purchases of computer programs and software applications from competitive bidding.
• Adds exemption for contracts for equipment and services to aid in the prevention and detection of criminal activity by law enforcement agencies and community policing programs.
• Maintains and clarifies other existing exemptions and cooperative purchasing provisions with conditions for non-bid procurements.
• Violations of the article are Class C felonies; the bill is exempt from the local-funds expenditure requirement of Section 111.05 due to a crime-related exception.
• Effective date: first day of the third month after the bill’s passage and approval.

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