Bill > H2773

This bill aims to prohibit the use of "force accounts," which is a practice where a public agency performs construction work using its own employees and equipment instead of awarding a contract through a competitive bidding process. The bill amends existing law to require public agencies to provide truthful and complete information in all bids and offers, and it imposes penalties, including jail time or fines, for violations. Importantly, it specifically targets the circumvention of bid and procurement laws by performing public construction projects, valued above a certain threshold, through force account or similar practices that bypass the required bidding process. However, an exception is made for emergency construction and repairs costing less than $100,000 that are necessary to address immediate and significant threats to public health and safety.