House raises small-purchase threshold, removes certain procurement preferences in amended bill

Summary

House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 392 removes best-value and residential bidder preference provisions, raises the small-purchase threshold from $40,000 to $50,000 (indexed every five years starting 2030), and creates limited exemptions for law-enforcement vehicle purchases; the House adopted the substitute and passed the bill.

House Bill 392, as amended by House Committee Substitute 1, passed the Kentucky House after sponsors described a targeted modernization of local procurement rules.

Representative Edmondson said the committee substitute removed sections addressing best-value procurement and residential bidder preferences after contractors raised concerns and that the substitute raises the small-purchase threshold from $40,000 to $50,000. The substitute also adds an indexing feature to increase the threshold by $10,000 every five years beginning in 2030. Sponsors said the bill modernizes cooperative purchasing rules, allows independent appraisals for personal property valuations, and creates a limited exemption for purchase of law-enforcement vehicles and equipment while preserving requirements for three quotes and documentation.

The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill; the clerk reported the vote and the bill as passed.