Government procurement transparency bill approved

Lawmakers passed a bill March 20 that adopts the Transparency in Procurement Act.

Introduced by Omaha Sen. Heath Mello, LB371 requires state agencies to provide a report to the Legislature regarding contracts awarded by the state Department of Administrative Services (DAS) on or after July 1, 2014.

The bill requires DAS to create an annual report that includes the total number and value of contracts awarded by the department. The report also will differentiate between contracts awarded within the state and to foreign contractors and include the number of contracts for which a preference was given.

The report will be submitted to the governor and the Legislature annually, beginning Sept. 1, 2015.

LB371 passed on a 42-0 vote.