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SB 303

PROCUREMENT CODE: Creates the "Interstate Technology Collaboration Act" to provide for use of cooperative purchasing for information technology system procurement. (gov sig) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Cloud

Allows public entities to share IT systems via cooperative purchasing, enabling access and cost sharing while preserving initial competitive procurement.

Effective date 5/29/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 303

Legislative Summary: SB 303 (Interstate Technology Collaboration Act)

Jurisdiction: Louisiana | Session: 2026 | Bill Type: Public Procurement / Governmental

1) Purpose and Intent

  • SB 303 establishes the "Interstate Technology Collaboration Act."
  • The core aim is to expand cooperative purchasing to include information technology (IT) services and IT systems, enabling public procurement units to access and use IT resources more efficiently through collaboration with external procurement activities.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Expansion of Cooperative Purchasing Scope

    • Adds information technology services to the list of goods and services that may be procured via cooperative purchasing.
    • In its reengrossed form, also explicitly includes information technology systems within the scope of cooperative purchasing.

  • Access to External IT Resources

    • Allows a public procurement unit to enter into cooperative purchasing arrangements with an external procurement activity that owns an IT system.
    • The public unit would be able to access and use the external IT system and pay a share of the system’s costs.

  • Competitive Procurement Exemption for IT

    • If the external procurement activity originally acquired the IT system through a competitive procurement process, the public procurement unit is exempt from conducting its own separate competitive procurement for IT services.
    • This preserves the competitive process at the point of initial acquisition while enabling downstream access by other public units.

  • Naming and Effective Date

    • The bill, including Senate amendments, shall be known and may be cited as the "Interstate Technology Collaboration Act."
    • Effective upon signature by the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

  • Statutory Change

    • Amends R.S. 39:1702(A)(1) to implement these changes.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • Public Procurement Units in Louisiana (state and local government entities that purchase goods and services).
  • External Procurement Activities that own or operate IT systems or services.
  • The arrangement enables public entities to access IT systems, pay cost shares, and avoid duplicative procurement processes under specified conditions.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • ** Legislative History Highlights:**
    • Senate floor amendments added IT systems to the eligible category and refined the cooperative purchasing framework.
    • The bill was amended to specify the naming ("Interstate Technology Collaboration Act") and to make technical changes.
    • Action history shows passage through Senate with amendments and referral to House for consideration.
  • Effective Date:
    • Triggered by the governor’s signature or the lapse of time for gubernatorial action (as is standard for sign action in Louisiana).

5) Practical Implications

  • Cost Efficiency and Access: Public entities may reduce duplicative procurement efforts and leverage shared IT investments, potentially lowering costs and accelerating deployment of IT capabilities.
  • Intergovernmental Collaboration: Encourages cross-unit and cross-entity collaboration in IT acquisitions, including access to existing IT systems owned by external procurement activities.
  • Procurement Process Integrity: Maintains competitive procurement for the initial acquisition of IT systems by the external activity, while enabling downstream use without re-procurement in certain cases.

If you’d like, I can compare SB 303 to current Louisiana procurement law or provide a stakeholder impact matrix (e.g., for municipalities, school systems, and state agencies).

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

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