HLS 20RS-862 ENGROSSED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 409
BY REPRESENTATIVE LACOMBE
SCHOOLS/BOARDS: Provides with respect to purchasing by school boards
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 38:2212.1(N)(4), relative to group purchasing of school
3 materials, equipment, and supplies; to provide relative to authorized purchases
4 through group purchasing organizations; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 38:2212.1(N)(4) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 ยง2212.1. Advertisement and letting to lowest responsible bidder; materials and
8 supplies; exemptions
9 * * *
10 N.
11 * * *
12 (4) A school board may purchase materials, equipment, or supplies directly
13 from or through a qualified group purchasing organization if either the price is less
14 than that for the same or substantially similar materials, equipment, or supplies on
15 the state contract or bid list or if the same or substantially similar materials,
16 equipment, or supplies are not under state contract or on the state bid list. Nothing
17 in this Paragraph shall be construed to authorize a school board to purchase
18 materials, equipment, or supplies from or through an entity or vendor other than a
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 20RS-862 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 409
1qualified group purchasing organization as defined in this Subsection without using a
2procurement process otherwise provided by state law.
3 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 409 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session LaCombe
Abstract: Provides relative to agreements between public school districts and public
schools and group purchasing organizations.
Present law authorizes any public school district or public school to enter into an agreement
with a group purchasing organization for the purchase of materials, equipment, and supplies,
including any installation thereof. Requires that any such agreement provide that the
organization submit a price list and that the prices quoted remain in effect for a stated period
of time, not less than three months. Also provides that any such price list shall be considered
a valid and binding bid by the organization.
Present law authorizes a school board to purchase materials, equipment, or supplies directly
through a group purchasing organization if the price is less than that for the same or
substantially similar materials, equipment, or supplies on the state contract or bid list.
Proposed law authorizes a school board to make such purchases if the same or substantially
similar materials, equipment, or supplies are not under state contract or on the state bid list.
Otherwise retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 38:2212.1(N)(4))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
original bill:
1. Add provision regarding construal of present law and proposed law, which
provide for when purchases may be made through a group purchasing
organization.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.