Today the Alabama Senate passed its first bill of the 2010 general session. SB52, Senator Lowell Barron’s (D) bill that prohibits no bid contracts in the state of Alabama for contracts in excess of $7,500. Senator Zeb Little (D) offered an amendment to this legislation that says any existing contract with the state that is less than 50% complete will be re-bid. The amendment was adopted and the bill passed the senate with a vote of 30 to 0.

Passage of this bill did not come easy. Senate democrats took the opportunity to discuss the 2009 Paragon contract that was not bided by Governor Riley’s office. According to Riley’s office, the reason for not bidding the contract was because Paragon is a sole source provider, but Barron and Z. Little contest otherwise. Barron claimed the state’s contract with Paragon is forged, he does not believe the person who signed the contract is actually the person whose name is on the contract.

Following passage of SB52, the next bill called before the body was SB35. SB35 is sponsored by Senator Quinton Ross (D) and relate to contract review. Republicans raised concerns and stalled the bill. SB35 did not receive passage.

Filed under: Legislature