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Senate amends and passes procurement code updates to clarify design-professional selection
Summary
First substitute HB 409 updates procurement code language to define "design professional" (architect/engineer), clarify selection and conflict-of-interest rules, and remove legislative exemptions; after consensus amendments the Senate passed the bill.
The Senate amended and passed the first substitute to House Bill 409, a comprehensive update to the state procurement code related to design professionals.
Sponsor Senator Okerlund said the bill "updates the section relating to the procurement of an architect or engineer and makes technical changes requested by the state purchasing." Changes include adding the term "design professional" to encompass architects and engineers, clarifying selection methods and evaluation processes, and updating conflict-of-interest provisions. A consensus amendment (Amendment 2) was offered on the floor to strike a newly-inserted sentence that had created controversy; sponsors said the amendment preserves the status quo while allowing further study.
Several senators spoke in support of the floor amendment and praised the consensus-building that resolved stakeholder concerns. After suspending the three-reading requirement, the Senate passed the amended bill by roll-call (29 yay, 0 nay).
The bill will be returned to the House for further consideration and signature as required by bicameral procedure.
