House Bill 117 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

County commission procurement; procurement program allowed to apply to purchase of services, county commission allowed to consider administrative savings

Summary

HB117 lets Alabama counties use a card-based procurement program to buy services and goods, with required savings, safeguards, and oversight.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows a county to adopt a procurement/purchasing program that uses a card-based process to simplify purchases of tangible property or services with participating vendors. It requires the county commission to approve the program and designate an individual to make purchases within set card limits. Before implementation, the county must verify accounting standards, demonstrate cost or administrative savings, ensure proper purchasing and accounting documentation, establish safeguards, and provide oversight by the chief administrative officer or designee. It also requires a written policy with purchase and monthly spend limits, training requirements, recordkeeping, monthly bill review, a 45-day electronic payment deadline, and ongoing compliance with state procurement laws; if the card vendor fails to settle within 45 days, the county’s purchasing authority can be suspended.

Who It Affects

• County governments and their officials (county commissions and the county chief administrative officer or designee) who would implement, oversee, and regulate the procurement program.
• Vendors and county employees designated to use procurement/purchasing cards, who would participate in the program and be subject to spending limits, training, documentation, and payment timelines.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes a county procurement program to apply to purchases of services and tangible property, using a card-based process with participating vendors.
• Requires county commission approval of the program and designation of an individual to make purchases under the program.
• Before implementation, mandates determinations on accounting standards, cost/admin savings, required documentation, safeguards, and supervision by the county’s chief administrative officer.
• Requires written policy and procedures detailing: individual and monthly purchase limits, training, recordkeeping, oversight, and payment procedures, plus compliance with the state procurement code (Article 3, Title 41).
• Specifies a 45-day deadline for payment settlement; failure to meet this deadline can suspend the county’s purchasing authority through the card program.
• Effective date October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 17, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Counties & Municipalities