Maryland 2023 2023 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB451 Chaptered / Bill

Filed 04/20/2023

                     	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 27 
 
– 1 – 
Chapter 27 
(Senate Bill 451) 
 
AN ACT concerning 
 
Procurement Improvement Council – Membership and Duties 
 
FOR the purpose of altering the membership of the Procurement Improvement Council; 
authorizing a certain member certain members to send a designee to attend certain 
meetings under certain circumstances; clarifying the duties of the Council; and 
generally relating to the membership of the Procurement Improvement Council.  
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 
 Article – State Finance and Procurement 
Section 12–105 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2021 Replacement Volume and 2022 Supplement) 
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 
 
Article – State Finance and Procurement 
 
12–105. 
 
 (a) In this section, “Council” means the Procurement Improvement Council. 
 
 (b) There is a Procurement Improvement Council. 
 
 (c) (1) The Council consists of the following [20] members: 
 
 (i) the State Treasurer; 
 
 (ii) the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland; 
 
 (iii) the Chief Procurement Officer; 
 
 (iv) the Secretary of Information Technology; 
 
 (v) the Secretary of Transportation; 
 
 (vi) the Procurement Advisor of the Board; 
 
 (vii) the Special Secretary for the Office of Small, Minority, and 
Women Business Affairs; 
  Ch. 27 	2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
– 2 – 
 (viii) the Secretary of Juvenile Services; 
 
 (ix) the Secretary of Human Services; 
 
 (x) the Secretary of Health; 
 
 (xi) the State Superintendent of Schools; 
 
 (XII) THE COMPTROLLER ;  
 
 (XIII) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL;  
 
 [(xii)] (XIII) (XIV) the following individuals, appointed by the 
Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate: 
 
 1. a representative of local government who has expertise in 
local procurement matters; 
 
 2. two representatives of social service providers in the State; 
and 
 
 3. a representative of a minorit y–, women–, or  
veteran–owned business; 
 
 [(xiii)] (XIV) (XV) three members of the general public appointed by 
the presiding officers of the General Assembly, of whom: 
 
 1. at least one shall have expertise in State procurement 
matters; and 
 
 2. at least two shall represent a minority–, women–, or 
veteran–owned business; 
 
 [(xiv)] (XV) (XVI) a member of the Senate, appointed by the President 
of the Senate; and 
 
 [(xv)] (XVI) (XVII) a member of the House of Delegates, appointed by 
the Speaker of the House. 
 
 (2) (i) If the State Treasurer is unable to attend a meeting of the 
Council, the Treasurer may designate the Deputy Treasurer to attend the meeting. 
 
 (ii) If a member of the Council listed in paragraph (1)(ii) through (xi) 
of this subsection is unable to attend a meeting of the Council, the member may designate 
a senior management staff member with experience in procurement to attend the meeting. 
   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 27 
 
– 3 – 
 (III) IF THE COMPTROLLER IS UNABLE TO ATTEND A MEETING 
OF THE COUNCIL, THE COMPTROLLER MAY SEND A DESIGNEE TO A TTEND THE 
MEETING.  
 
 (IV) IF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS UNABLE TO ATTEND A 
MEETING OF THE COUNCIL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY SEND A DE SIGNEE TO 
ATTEND THE MEETING .  
 
 (d) The Chief Procurement Officer is Chairman of the Council. 
 
 (e) The Council shall meet at least quarterly each year. 
 
 (f) The Chief Procurement Officer is the principal staff of the Council and the 
Council shall have any additional staff authorized in accordance with the State budget. 
 
 (g) The Council shall: 
 
 (1) ensure that the State’s procurement system is utilizing the most 
advanced procurement methods and management techniques, including policies, 
procedures, and forms for all procurement activity and contract management; 
 
 (2) effect and enhance communication between State units on procurement 
matters, with an emphasis on disseminating information on current developments and 
advances in procurement methods and management; 
 
 (3) provide a forum for the discussion of specific procurement issues and 
problems that arise, including: 
 
 (i) procurement officer training; 
 
 (ii) risk analysis and insurance requirements; 
 
 (iii) management of eMaryland Marketplace and other Internet 
procurement resources; 
 
 (iv) use of eMaryland Marketplace and compliance with § 17–502 of 
this article; 
 
 (v) use of intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreements; 
and 
 
 (VI) STRATEGIES TO INCREA SE THE PARTICIPATION OF SMALL, 
MINORITY–OWNED, AND WOMEN –OWNED BUSINESSES IN 	PROCUREMENT 
CONTRACTS; AND  
 
 (vi) (VII) any other issues or problems identified by the Council;  Ch. 27 	2023 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
– 4 – 
 
 (4) advise the Board on problems in the procurement process and make 
recommendations for improvement of the process; 
 
 (5) review existing procurement regulations to: 
 
 (i) determine whether they fulfill the intent and purpose of the law, 
especially as it relates to fostering broad–based competition; and 
 
 (ii) make recommendations on the regulations, if revising and 
restructuring them will result in easier understanding and use; and 
 
 (6) advise the General Assembly on proposed legislation in order to 
enhance the efficiency and transparency of State procurement. 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 
October 1, 2023.  
 
 
Approved by the Governor, April 11, 2023.