Municipal bidding procedure waiver advanced

Cities and villages in Nebraska would be able to waive municipal bidding procedures when required to comply with a federal grant, loan or program under a bill given first-round approval Feb. 15.

Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill said she introduced LB335 in the wake of possible conflicts between municipal bidding procedures and bidding procedures for federal stimulus grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) program.

For example, McGill said, concerns were raised that the ARRA “buy American” bidding requirement would conflict with a lowest responsible bidder requirement in municipal procedures. LB335 would allow cities and villages to waive state bidding requirements when they conflict with federal bidding requirements, she said.

“With this bill, the question will be resolved for future federal programs,” McGill said.

Senators advanced the bill to select file on a 38-0 vote.