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SB 36

"Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act"; enact

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Albers and 31 co-sponsors

Senate Bill 36 streamlines procurement for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads, aligning them with local bidding laws and simplifying protest and disclosure processes.

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Bill Summary · SB 36

Summary of Senate Bill 36 (SB 36)

Overview

Senate Bill 36 (SB 36), titled "Competitive bidding; contract protest procedures revised; requirements for submitting disclosure statements revised," was introduced on December 31, 2024, and has been enacted as Act 2025-35. The bill primarily aims to standardize procurement processes for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads, aligning them with existing state laws applicable to other local government units.

Main Purpose and Intent

The intent of SB 36 is to enhance the transparency and efficiency of procurement processes for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads by:
- Subjecting their purchases to the same competitive bidding laws that govern other local government entities.
- Streamlining the procedures for protesting competitive bids.
- Revising the requirements for disclosure statements related to contract proposals.

Key Provisions

  1. Governance of Purchases:

    • Volunteer fire departments and rescue squads will now follow the same local competitive bidding laws that apply to other governmental bodies, ensuring consistency in procurement practices.

  2. Protest Procedures:

    • The deadline for submitting a notice of protest against a competitive bid contract has been reduced from 14 days to 5 days.
    • The protest procedures established by this bill are not subject to the Administrative Procedure Act, simplifying the process for bidders.

  3. Disclosure Statement Requirements:

    • The threshold for requiring a disclosure statement for contracts has been revised, allowing for alternative forms of disclosure.
    • Bidders can submit a single annual disclosure statement for multiple proposals to the same state agency, department, or division.
    • Public contracts with publicly traded companies and awards of economic development incentives are now exempt from the disclosure statement requirement.

  4. Electronic Bid Submissions:

    • The bill provides for further provisions regarding electronic submissions of bids, promoting modern procurement practices.

Impact

  • Affected Entities: The bill directly impacts volunteer fire departments and rescue squads, aligning their procurement processes with those of other local government units. It also affects bidders who must comply with the revised protest and disclosure requirements.
  • Funding: According to the fiscal notes, SB 36 does not have a direct impact on state or local funding.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: December 31, 2024
  • Enacted: May 6, 2025
  • Key Legislative Actions:
    • February 27, 2025: Delivered to Governor and signed into law.
    • February 20, 2025: Read for the second time and placed on the calendar.
    • February 12, 2025: Reported out of committee and read for the first time.

Conclusion

Senate Bill 36 represents a significant step towards improving procurement processes for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads in Alabama. By aligning their practices with state laws and simplifying protest and disclosure requirements, the bill aims to foster greater efficiency and transparency in public contracting.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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