Senator objects as Senate debates procurement exemption for rail entity

Senator Jay Morris pressed the Senate to reject House amendments that, he said, would effectively exempt a rail entity with a troubled history from public-bid laws. During floor debate on Senate Bill 449, Morris said he had reviewed the entity's record and raised concerns about prior misconduct and public contracting violations.

"I don't think it's a good idea for an entity that has that history for us to exempt them from the public bid laws, which are designed to prevent the very thing that occurred," Morris said, arguing the past indictment and alleged misuse of public funds make exemptions inappropriate.

Sponsor Senator DuPlessis responded that the changes under consideration were technical and intended to improve the agency's ability to operate, saying the entity remains a state agency that is "subject to audit" and other accountability measures. "This was a technical amendment, and I don't believe that something of the past should hold this agency hostage," DuPlessis said.

After debate, the Senate voted to reject the House amendments tied to the measure; the clerk recorded 26 ayes and 9 nays on the motion to reject. The action means the Senate did not concur in those House amendments and the matter will proceed according to legislative rules (rejection and, where appropriate, conference or further action).