Legislative committee members favored a bill expanding the bid process timeline.

 

House Bill 1102, which expands the period from 30 to 45 days for the opening of bids to the time the contract must be awarded, passed the House Local Government committee on a 12-1 vote on Tuesday (2/2).

 

“Thirty days is simply not enough,” Rep. Thomas Brunner, the bill’s sponsor, said. Rep. Brunner also noted some government subdivisions meet only once a month, which unnecessarily expedites the bid process.

 

“These are tax payer dollars and we have a responsibility to make sure they are spent as wisely as possible.”

 

S.D. Municipal League Executive Director Yvonne Taylor testified that complex projects require additional review of bids and government subdivisions “don’t have enough time to review” proposals in the 30 day window. She added the extension would likely only affect decisions on complex projects and government subdivisions have no incentive “to delay the process” so they would want to move forward.

 

ASBSD is monitoring the bill, which now heads to the House floor for review. For updates on HB 1102, check out the ASBSD Blog, Twitter feed and Bill Tracker page.