Bill > SB2135

This bill authorizes counties to obtain and use county purchase cards, which are similar to credit cards for official county business, through their designated financial institutions, known as depositories. These cards can be used for various purchases with specific limits: there are no transaction limits for purchases made under existing county or multi-county contracts, for utilities, intergovernmental payments to other public entities, emergency acquisitions, or for professional services. For all other transactions, the limit is the greater of $5,000 or a limit set by the county purchasing agent, which cannot exceed what is considered a fair and reasonable acquisition threshold. Cardholders must sign an agreement and undergo training, and all purchases made with these cards must be published in the same way as other county warrants, with the exception that these acquisitions remain subject to competitive bidding and other standard purchasing procedures unless specifically exempted. The bill also allows counties to solicit bids from financial institutions to provide these purchase card programs, with contracts awarded based on the overall benefit to the county, and declares an emergency to allow the act to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.