Procurement bill advancing in committee draws concern over in‑state preference

Representative Schallenberger presented HB 511, a procurement amendment that would give a modest scoring preference to in‑state vendors (a 10% evaluation bonus) when competing proposals are otherwise close. The sponsor said the preference would be implemented through objective checks—a certificate of existence, at least one year in business in Utah, a principal place of business and good standing with the Division of Corporations—and would not affect contract price or apply to lowest‑price procurements.