Bill > HB1414

This bill modifies Hawaii's procurement law by expanding the discretion of the head of a purchasing agency when awarding contracts through competitive sealed bidding. Currently, contracts must be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, but the proposed amendment allows the agency head, with the chief procurement officer's approval, to award the contract to a bidder other than the lowest bidder if they determine that such an award would be more beneficial to taxpayers or in the best interests of the State. This change provides more flexibility in the procurement process, recognizing that the lowest bid may not always represent the most advantageous option for the state. The bill maintains existing provisions that allow for bid price negotiations if all bids exceed available funds, and it specifies that the new provisions do not affect rights, duties, penalties, or proceedings that existed before the law's effective date. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 3000, though this is likely a placeholder date that will be updated before final passage.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1414&year=2025