WEST virginia legislature

2023 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2888

By Delegates Sheedy, Reynolds, Willis, and Longanacre

[Introduced January 20, 2023; Referred to the Committee on Government Organization]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5A-3-63, relating to the elimination of statewide contracts that are awarded to out of state vendors by all state agencies and the West Virginia Division of Highways; providing for limited exceptions; and providing for an effective date.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 3. purchasing division.

§5A-3-63. Elimination of statewide contracts to out of state vendors.

(a) Legislative findings. - The Legislature finds that the elimination of statewide contracts to out of state vendors will save the State of West Virginia money, spur economic growth within the state, and will reward businesses in West Virginia.

(b)  Elimination of contacts with out of state vendors. – All state agencies in West Virginia, as well as the West Virginia Division of Highways, shall be prohibited from entering into contracts with out of state vendors, and shall find a suitable in-state vendor or business to engage with.

(c) Limited exception. – Contracts may only be completed with out of state vendors when no in-state vendors or businesses are available to do the services sought. A higher price for an in-state vendor as opposed to an out of state vendor is not a suitable exception.

(d) Effective date. – This section shall become effective July 1, 2023.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to eliminate statewide contracts that are awarded to out of state vendors.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.