Bill > HB377

This bill modifies Georgia law to allow local governments, meaning counties, municipalities, or consolidated governments, to acquire professional services, such as those from architects, engineers, and surveyors, using a process similar to what state agencies already follow. Previously, counties and municipalities had different rules for contracting, especially for professional services, and this bill aims to standardize and clarify these procedures. Specifically, it amends laws related to road systems and public works bidding to require local governments to use a competitive process based on qualifications and fair fees when hiring for projects exceeding certain cost thresholds, aligning with the state's existing managerial control over professional services acquisition. The bill also updates definitions for terms like "agency" and "project" to include local governments and clarifies that local governments can adopt their own rules to implement these provisions, with an effective date of July 1, 2027.

Business and Industry, Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70139