HOUSE BILL NO. 531

INTRODUCED BY K. GILLAN

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT INCREASING FROM $2,500 TO $10,000 THE MINIMUM VALUE OF A CONTRACT THAT MUST BE AWARDED BY COMPETITIVE BID BY A DRAINAGE DISTRICT; AMENDING SECTION 85-8-361, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND AN APPLICABILITY DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 85-8-361, MCA, is amended to read:

"85-8-361. Contracts. In all cases when the work to be done at any one time under the direction of the commissioners , in their opinion, will cost more than $10,000, the work must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. The commissioners shall advertise for sealed bids, by notice published in a newspaper published in the county in which the petition is filed, and may advertise in one or more newspapers published elsewhere. If there is no newspaper published in the county in which the petition is filed, the commissioners shall advertise in a newspaper published in an adjoining county. The notice must specify the time and place when and where the bids advertised will be opened, the kind of work to be contracted for, and the terms of payment. The commissioners may continue the awarding of contracts from time to time, if in their judgment the contracts are necessary, and shall reserve the right to reject any and all bids."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 1999.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Applicability. [This act] applies to contracts awarded after July 1, 1999.

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