summary
Introduced
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
In Committee
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 43 to require the Auditor of Public Accounts to conduct a biennial audit of the contract procurement systems of the Department of Highways; enumerate issues to be examined in the audit; allow the Auditor to contract for professional services; require the Department of Highways to reimburse the Auditor for the cost of the audit; require submission of the audit to the LRC by October 31st of each odd numbered year; amend KRS 176.050 to require the Department of Highways to reimburse the Auditor for the biennial audit of contract procurement procedures; require the department to promulgate administrative regulations regarding the advertisement and award of bids for highway construction; amend KRS 176.210 to prohibit the Department of Highways from making public the identity of a qualified bidder on a particular project prior to the bid letting on that project.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that the Auditor of Public Accounts, starting in fiscal year 2026-2027 and every two years thereafter, will conduct an audit of the contract procurement systems used by the Department of Highways to ensure competitive bidding processes are not being circumvented through practices like bid rigging or collusion. The Auditor can hire outside professionals for this audit, and the Department of Highways will be responsible for covering all audit costs, including any contracted services. The audit findings must be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) by October 31st of each odd-numbered year, beginning in 2027. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Highways to establish administrative regulations, following a formal rule-making process, to govern how bids for highway construction are advertised and awarded, aiming to boost public confidence, ensure fairness, promote competition, and maintain integrity in the system. Finally, it prohibits the Department of Highways from revealing the names of qualified bidders for a specific project before the official bid opening.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (7)
Kimberly Holloway (R)*,
Ryan Bivens (R),
Josh Calloway (R),
John Hodgson (R),
Candy Massaroni (R),
T.J. Roberts (R),
Richard White (R),
Last Action
to Transportation (H) (on 02/04/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb505.html |
| BillText | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/26RS/hb505/orig_bill.pdf |
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