House Bill 455 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim CarnsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Contract review committee; recommendation that the Governor not sign contracts under review provided

Summary

HB455 allows the Contract Review Committee to recommend that the Governor not sign contracts under review and updates related code language.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets the Contract Review Committee review contracts for private services and, if appropriate, recommend that the Governor not sign the contract. Departments must submit proposed contracts (or a letter of intent) with a cost estimate to the committee. The committee must hold a hearing within 45 days of submission to review and comment; if no hearing occurs in that period, the contract is deemed reviewed, and the committee can extend review for up to 45 additional days. Contracts entered into without prior review could be void ab initio, and the bill adds subpoena power and regular oversight duties, with an effective date of October 1, 2026, plus nonsubstantive technical language updates.

Who It Affects

• State departments and agencies: must submit contracts (or letters of intent) with cost estimates to the Contract Review Committee for review and may be prevented from signing those contracts if the committee recommends against it.
• The Governor: may be advised or directed by the committee not to sign contracts under review, affecting signing decisions and contract execution.

Key Provisions

• The committee may recommend that the Governor not sign a contract under review.
• Departments must submit proposed contracts for personal or professional services, with cost estimates, or submit a letter of intent with similar information.
• A 45-day review/hearing timeline is established; if no hearing occurs in that window, the contract is deemed reviewed; the committee may extend review up to 45 days.
• Contracts made without prior committee review are void ab initio.
• The committee has subpoena power, must meet regularly (monthly), and the act becomes effective October 1, 2026, plus nonsubstantive revisions to update language.

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

Subjects

Legislature