Bill
H 301
H 301 updates Idaho procurement to require upfront budget and RFP planning for property ≥$250,000, expands multiple-award contracts, and tightens ethics and disclosures.
Executive purpose
- H 301 seeks to update Idaho’s State Procurement Act to better align budgeting with procurement planning, increase transparency, strengthen bidding and contract award processes, and add new safeguards around vendor interactions. The bill would apply to state agencies and the Division of Purchasing, with new definitions, procedures, and timelines for acquiring property valued at $250,000 or more.
Key provisions and changes
- Definitions (67-3501B): Establishes terms used throughout the procurement provisions, including property, RFQ (Request for Information), RFP (Request for Proposal), and RFQ/RFI/RFP-related concepts.
- Budget format and preparation (67-3502):
- Agencies must show estimated costs for requested property >= $250,000 at budget submission, based on RFQ/RFI data.
- Agencies must provide a complete draft RFP for property requests >= $250,000 that require a competitive bid.
- Budget forms due by early September; emergency provisions allow late budget requests under defined conditions.
- Governor can declare emergencies for certain post-deadline replacement or new property requests if specific criteria are met.
- Solicitations, bids, and awards (revisions across multiple sections):
- Clarifies and revises processes for solicitations, bids, and contract awards.
- Adds or clarifies provisions for multiple awards (two or more bidders) and creates a new framework for this approach.
- Repeals existing section on multi-awards and replaces it with a new framework (67-9211) governing multiple awards.
- Establishes an “intent to solicit” requirement to notify potential bidders early in the process.
- Ethics, records, and disclosures:
- Revises ethics provisions in procurement.
- Introduces or tightens disclosure requirements regarding vendor expenditures and related records.
- Includes cooling-off provisions for public employees or elected officials with respect to vendors and state contracts.
- Administrative and effective-date changes:
- Several sections in Chapter 92, Title 67, Idaho Code amended to reflect updated definitions, timelines, and procedures.
- Effective date: July 1, 2026.
- Fiscal note and staffing implications:
- Implementation would require dedicated staffing in the Division of Purchasing (four FTP positions) at an estimated $483,044 (salary and benefits) from the General Fund.
- Full funding for these positions expected in FY27; the changes are staged to account for implementation timelines.
Implementation timeline
- Budget submission forms for property requests: at least by July 15 (per general budgeting timeline cues in the bill text).
- Budget forms due: September 1 (subject to special permission in some cases).
- New procurement processes and definitions would take effect July 1, 2026, with associated staffing funded in FY27.
Affected parties
- State agencies, the Division of Purchasing, and the Department of Administration (including the public works division).
- Vendors and potential bidders (due to new “intent to solicit,” multiple-award options, and enhanced disclosure/ethics requirements).
- Public employees and elected officials (due to cooling-off provisions).
Legislative status
- Introduced: February 21, 2025.
- Read Second Time and Filed for Third Reading: February 28, 2025.
- Read Third Time in Full – FAILED: March 3, 2025 (27 yeas, 43 nays; no floor vote passage).
Notes
- The bill consolidates procurement reform, budget transparency, and bidding enhancements into a single framework, with a notable emphasis on upfront planning for high-value property purchases and expanded use of multiple-award contracts, subject to future funding and implementation.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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