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 794 Original 2024 Regular Session Gadberry
Abstract: Provides for political subdivisions and agencies to negotiate for a fair and reasonable
price with the most highly qualified firm selected and then move to the next highly qualified
selected firm if a contract cannot be negotiated until a contract is successfully negotiated.
Present law establishes a policy for the state, its political subdivisions, and its agencies to select
architectural and engineering professional services based on competence and qualifications for a fair
and reasonable price.
Present law provides that the state and its political subdivisions or agencies cannot select architects,
engineers, landscape architects, and land surveyors using price or price-related information as a
factor in the selection.
Proposed law retains present law and requires that a political subdivision or agency negotiate a
contract for a fair and reasonable price with the most highly qualified firm and if it cannot negotiate
a contract with that firm, it should begin negotiating with the next most qualified firm and repeat
until a contract is successfully negotiated.
Present law excludes certain contracts that are authorized under present law.
Present law requires records defined by present law dealing with the selection of architectural and
engineering services to be public records.
(Amends R.S. 38:2318.1)