House Bill 202

Chair's Name: Vance Smith

Committee: Transportation

House Sponsor: Ben Harbin

HB 202 adds two new code sections which deal with situations where a contractor is found more than 25% behind in the performance of two or more state public works or DOT contracts, and the delay is the contractor's fault. If such is the case, the contractor will not be eligible to bid for additional contracts until the performance of their existing contracts are brought current or completed. The issue of whether the contractor is behind in performance will be determined by the applicable provisions of the contract, but that determination may be appealed.

This bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the Transportation Committee and came to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Chairman Smith's opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

Improves efficiency in transportation development.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

Some DOT projects have gone past completion deadlines.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Reduces the Tax Burden on our Citizens by forcing contractors to finish projects in a timely manner to eliminate cost overruns.

• Increases Personal Responsibility by increasing contractors' responsibility to be prompt.

The Senate made no further changes to the bill.