Competitive Edge
Bid Preference Bill Advances this Week
January 2010An AGC of Kentucky supported bill SB-45 (Tapp R-Shelbyville) to give reciprocal bid preferences to Kentucky contractors on state projects when bidding against contractors from states with similar bid preferences and to promote "best value" bidding passed the State Senate Local Government Committee as a committee substitute this week 12-0. AGC of Kentucky would like to thank Senator Gary Tapp for sponsoring the legislation and thank each of the committee members who voted Yes to support the proposal. Following passage of the committee substitute a technical error in the definition of a "resident bidder" was discovered and a floor amendment is currently being drafted by AGC of Kentucky at the request of the sponsor in order to improve the legislation. The bill has received two succesfull readings and will likely be voted upon by the full Senate next week with our proposed floor amendment attached.
Read MoreBudget Address this Week
January 2010When a major bill makes its way to either chamber's floor for a vote in the session's early days, it's a sure sign the bill has uncommonly deep support in that chamber. House Bill 176 became the first piece of legislation to reach the governor's desk this year, as the Senate and House cooperated and fast-tracked the bill. Time was of the essence: A Jan. 19 deadline loomed for state education officials to apply for federal Race to the Top funds, up to $200 million or more that can be used toward improving state middle and high schools.
Read MoreLegislation to Watch
January 2010SB 45 (Tapp) AGC supported legislation to give bid preference to Kentucky contractors on state projects and promote "best value" bidding.
AN ACT relating to state contracting practices.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 45A to give preference to Kentucky resident bidders in state construction contracts; require this preference to apply against a nonresident bidder registered in any state that gives or requires a preference to bidders from that state; specify that this preference is equal to the preference given or required by the state of the non resident bidder; include determination of the amount of the preference; define "resident bidder"; require the Finance and Administration Cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations on the process for establishing residency and listing states with a bid preference in place, including the amount of that preference; amend KRS 45A.070 to redefine "best value" to include the requirement to communicate the preference in the invitation for bids; amend KRS 45A.085, 45A.090, 45A.180, and 45A.182 to conform; amend KRS 162.070 to include the preference for a resident bidder in accepting bids for secondary school construction contracts; amend KRS 164A.575 to add that "best value" shall be determined in accordance with KRS 45A.070 for postsecondary school capital construction contracts.
Other Legislation of Note
January 2010To view the entire text of any of these bills visit the LRC website at www.lrc.ky.gov
SB 13 (Jones) and HB 159 (Greer) mandates coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders by health insurance providers.
SB 26 (Leeper) eliminates the current prohibition on nuclear facilities.
SB 28 (Westwood) provides for a career-based program of study for high school students.
SB 44 (Shaughnessy) requires public universities to create a plan to increase four-year graduation rates.
SB 67 (Winters) would promote early graduation for high school students who fulfill rigorous academic requirements.
Legislature Returns to Capitol
January 2010The Kentucky General Assembly returned to Frankfort last week amidst a continued backdrop of budgetary shortfalls which vary in estimate of $900 million according to Senate leadershp or as much as $1.5 billion according to the Governor's office. Discussions among legislative and executive branch officials regarding the state of the economy as well as the weakened budget outlook for the foreseeable future will likely overshadow much of the legislative process.
How the Legislature deals with this financial challenge in the face of a slowly recovering national economy may largely define this session's tone along with the state budget, which is often viewed as an expression of political policy and priorities.
Read MoreLegislation to Watch
January 2010SB 45 (Tapp) AGC supported legislation to give bid preference to Kentucky contractors on state projects and promote "best value" bidding.
AN ACT relating to state contracting practices.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 45A to give preference to Kentucky resident bidders in state construction contracts; require this preference to apply against a nonresident bidder registered in any state that gives or requires a preference to bidders from that state; specify that this preference is equal to the preference given or required by the state of the nonresident bidder; include determination of the amount of the preference; define "resident bidder"; require the Finance and Administration Cabinet to promulgate administrative regulations on the process for establishing residency and listing states with a bid preference in place, including the amount of that preference; amend KRS 45A.070 to redefine "best value" to include the requirement to communicate the preference in the invitation for bids; amend KRS 45A.085, 45A.090, 45A.180, and 45A.182 to conform; amend KRS 162.070 to include the preference for a resident bidder in accepting bids for secondary school construction contracts; amend KRS 164A.575 to add that "best value" shall be determined in accordance with KRS 45A.070 for postsecondary school capital construction contracts.
Read MoreOther Legislation of Note
January 2010To view the entire text of any of these bills, visit the LRC website at www.lrc.ky.gov.
SB 13 (Jones) and HB 159 (Greer) mandate coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders by health insurance providers.
SB 26 (Leeper) eliminates the current prohibition on nuclear facilities.
SB 28 (Westwood) provides for a career-based program of study for high school students.
SB 44 (Shaughnessy) requires public universities to create a plan to increase four-year graduation rates.
SB 67 (Winters) would promote early graduation for high school students who fulfill rigorous academic requirements.
Read More
