Senate Bill 115 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Feb 12, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator
Democrat
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Competitive bidding; repairs of vehicles under $15,000 for certain awarding authorities exempt
Summary: SB115 creates a limited exemption from competitive bidding for certain small vehicle repairs by local awarding authorities, under defined cost and weight limits and with required price estimates and approval.
What This Bill Does
It allows awarding authorities (counties, municipalities, and related boards) to repair vehicles with a gross weight rating of 12,000 pounds or less without full competitive bidding if the repair costs are under $15,000. They must still solicit and document price estimates from at least two different vendors before awarding the contract, and the exemption applies to each vehicle repaired separately (not aggregated across repairs). The option to use this exemption must be explicitly referenced on purchase orders or commitments and approved by the authority or through a formal policy. The act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects
Awarding authorities (county commissions, municipal governing bodies, or instrumentalities like water/sewer/gas boards) who gain flexibility to perform small vehicle repairs under $15,000 under certain conditions.
Vehicle repair vendors (shops and suppliers) who may compete for these small repair jobs by providing price estimates to awarding authorities, in line with the two-vendor requirement.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 41-16-52.1 to create a limited bidding exemption for vehicle repairs under $15,000 on light vehicles (GVWR ≤ 12,000 pounds).
Requires awarding authorities to solicit and document price estimates from at least two vendors before awarding the repair contract.
Exemption applies per vehicle repaired and cannot be aggregated with other repair expenditures.
Option to use the exemption must be referenced on purchase orders/commitments and must have prior official approval or adopted formal policy.
Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Competitive Bidding