Committee approves emergency clause and raises purchase threshold for tourism retail restocking to $75,000

Senator Fricks explained an amendment to Senate Bill 1365 to add an emergency clause and then presented the bill as amended. The legislation would allow the State Department of Tourism and Recreation to be exempt from certain Central Purchasing Act requirements for purchases under $75,000 specifically for restocking retail locations such as gift shops and pro shops.

Fricks said the exemption is intended to help smaller vendors that are reluctant to register as state vendors and to allow more diverse, local sourcing. "We like to get those stocked as soon as possible," Fricks said when explaining the need for the emergency clause.

Director Amy Blackburn addressed the committee and said current central purchasing rules limit the department’s ability to restock retail stores and source products from local mom‑and‑pop vendors and artists. "We often want to work with small mom and pop local vendors in the various areas and often they are reluctant to sign on as a vendor with the state," Blackburn said. Committee members asked whether the change would bypass state‑use vendor preferences for suppliers who employ people with disabilities; Blackburn said purchases above $75,000 would still require state‑use consideration and that the department seeks to continue considering state‑use vendors.

The amendment adding the emergency clause was adopted by voice vote. The bill as amended was approved by the committee with a recorded vote of 8 ayes and 0 nays.