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Committee advances bill removing notarization requirement from municipal bid affidavits
Summary
Senate Bill 898, which deletes a notarization requirement for certain municipal bid affidavits and modifies language referring to 'under oath,' advanced after extended debate on bidder accountability and electronic bidding. The committee voted 6-3 to advance.
Senator Pugh told the Local and County Government Committee that Senate Bill 898 is the product of discussions among municipalities, contractors and construction trades to modernize municipal bidding processes.
"When bids are submitted, the contractors have to sign an affidavit and then have it notarized. This is becoming more challenging as bids are more and more being submitted electronically," Senator Pugh said, explaining that the bill removes the notarization requirement for a business‑relationship affidavit used in municipal bids.
Committee members pressed on accountability and the phrase "under oath." Senator Goodwin asked, "What actually holds these folks to some degree of accountability if it's no longer under oath?" Pugh and a city representative explained the proposal preserves a signed written statement but eliminates the notarization step to reduce bid rejections for missing notarizations.
Supporters argued notarization often causes administrative delays and that other government procurement—state and federal—does not require notarized bids. Critics said removing notarization could reduce safeguards against false statements. Senator Nyesha said she would vote no and urged changes to protect small contractors and fairness in municipal procurement.
After debate and additional questions about the scope of the affidavit and the role of notaries in verifying identity, the committee voted to advance the bill. The clerk reported six ayes and three nays; the chair declared Senate Bill 898 advanced.
