2005 Legislation
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HOUSE BILL NO. 263 – Procurement, political subdivisions

HOUSE BILL NO. 263

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H0263......................................................by STATE AFFAIRS
PUBLIC WORKS - Amends, repeals and adds to existing law relating to public
works contracting to revise provisions applicable to the contracting and
procurement of political subdivisions of the state.
                                                                        
02/24    House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
02/25    Rpt prt - to Bus
02/28    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
03/01    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
03/07    3rd rdg - PASSED - 62-4-4
      AYES -- Anderson, Andrus, Barraclough, Bastian, Bayer, Bedke, Bell,
      Bilbao, Black, Block, Boe, Bolz, Bradford, Chadderdon, Clark,
      Collins, Crow, Deal, Denney, Edmunson, Ellsworth, Eskridge,
      Field(18), Field(23), Garrett, Hart, Harwood, Henbest, Henderson,
      Jaquet, Jones, Kemp, LeFavour, Martinez, Mathews, McGeachin, Miller,
      Mitchell, Moyle, Nielsen, Nonini, Pasley-Stuart, Pence, Raybould,
      Ringo, Roberts, Rusche, Rydalch, Sali, Sayler, Schaefer, Shepherd(2),
      Shepherd(8), Shirley, Skippen, Smith(30), Smith(24), Smylie,
      Snodgrass, Trail, Wills, Mr. Speaker
      NAYS -- Barrett, Loertscher, McKague, Wood
      Absent and excused -- Cannon, Lake, Ring, Stevenson
    Floor Sponsors - Smith(24) & Black
    Title apvd - to Senate
03/08    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to Com/HuRes
03/18    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
03/21    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
03/22    3rd rdg - PASSED - 30-3-1, 1 vacancy
      AYES -- Andreason, Brandt, Broadsword, Bunderson, Burkett, Cameron,
      Coiner, Compton, Corder, Darrington, Davis, Gannon, Geddes, Goedde,
      Hill, Jorgenson, Kelly, Langhorst, Little, Lodge, Malepeai, Marley,
      McGee, McKenzie, Richardson, Schroeder, Stegner, Stennett, Sweet,
      Werk
      NAYS -- Burtenshaw, Pearce, Williams
      Absent and excused -- Keough, (District 21 seat vacant)
    Floor Sponsor - Andreason
    Title apvd - to House
03/23    To enrol
03/24    Rpt enrol - Sp signed
03/25    Pres signed
03/28    To Governor
03/31    Governor signed
         Session Law Chapter 213
         Effective: 07/01/05

Bill Text


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-eighth Legislature                   First Regular Session - 2005
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                                                        
                                     HOUSE BILL NO. 263
                                                                        
                                 BY STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTING; AMENDING SECTION 31-1001, IDAHO CODE, TO
  3        REVISE A CODE REFERENCE AND TO CORRECT A CODIFIER ERROR; AMENDING  SECTION
  4        31-3615,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO REVISE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE CONTRACTING
  5        AND PROCUREMENT POWERS OF THE COUNTY HOSPITAL BOARD; REPEALING CHAPTER 40,
  6        TITLE 31, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO COUNTY EXPENDITURES AND  BIDS;  AMENDING
  7        SECTION  33-402,  IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS; AMENDING SEC-
  8        TION 33-601, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS EXE-
  9        CUTED BY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARDS OF TRUSTEES FOR PROPERTY; AMENDING SECTION
 10        33-601A, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE A CODE REFERENCE; AMENDING SECTION 40-901,
 11        IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR  CON-
 12        TRACTS AND BIDS TO COUNTY HIGHWAY SYSTEMS AND HIGHWAY DISTRICTS; REPEALING
 13        SECTIONS  40-906,  40-907,  40-908,  40-909,  40-910,  40-911,  40-912 AND
 14        40-916, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO CONTRACTS AND BIDS FOR HIGHWAYS;  AMENDING
 15        SECTION  42-3115,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO  PROVIDE  FOR APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN
 16        REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF GOODS AND SERVICES BY THE BOARDS OF  COM-
 17        MISSIONERS  OF  FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTS AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS;
 18        REPEALING SECTION 42-3116, IDAHO CODE, RELATING  TO  BIDDING  REQUIREMENTS
 19        FOR FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTS; AMENDING SECTION 42-3212, IDAHO CODE, TO PRO-
 20        VIDE  FOR  APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF GOODS
 21        AND SERVICES BY BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTS; AMENDING
 22        SECTION 42-4416, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARDS  OF
 23        COMMISSIONERS  OF  LEVEE  DISTRICTS  AND  TO  MAKE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION;
 24        AMENDING SECTION 43-318A, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE A CODE REFERENCE; AMENDING
 25        SECTION 43-901, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTORS
 26        FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK AND PURCHASING  BY  IRRIGATION  DISTRICTS;  AMENDING
 27        SECTION 43-903, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE A CODE REFERENCE AND TO MAKE A TECH-
 28        NICAL  CORRECTION;  AMENDING SECTION 43-2508, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVI-
 29        SIONS APPLICABLE TO BIDDING BY  LOCAL  IMPROVEMENT  DISTRICTS  WITHIN  THE
 30        BOUNDARIES  OF IRRIGATION DISTRICTS; REPEALING SECTION 50-341, IDAHO CODE,
 31        RELATING TO BIDDING PROVISIONS OF MUNICIPALITIES; AMENDING SECTION 50-342,
 32        IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE A CODE REFERENCE;  AMENDING  SECTION  50-344,  IDAHO
 33        CODE, TO REVISE A CODE REFERENCE; AMENDING SECTION 50-1710, IDAHO CODE, TO
 34        REVISE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO BIDDING BY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS; AMENDING
 35        SECTION  50-2006,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO  REVISE A CODE REFERENCE AND TO MAKE A
 36        TECHNICAL CORRECTION; AMENDING SECTION 50-2620, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PRO-
 37        VISIONS APPLICABLE TO BIDDING BY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS;  AMENDING
 38        SECTION  50-2621, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE A CODE REFERENCE; AMENDING SECTION
 39        54-1901, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE INTENT AND TO  MAKE  TECHNICAL
 40        CHANGES; AMENDING SECTION 54-1903, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE EXEMPTIONS AND TO
 41        REVISE  TERMINOLOGY; AMENDING SECTION 54-1904A, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE TER-
 42        MINOLOGY AND TO REQUIRE THAT A COPY OF CERTAIN FORMS FILED BY  PRIME  CON-
 43        TRACTORS  BE SENT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DIVISION OF BUILDING SAFETY;
 44        AMENDING SECTION 54-1913, IDAHO CODE, TO REFERENCE DATA COLLECTED PURSUANT
 45        TO LAW; AMENDING SECTION 54-1914, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE  DESCRIPTIVE  LAN-
 46        GUAGE AND TO SET FORTH PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ADMINISTRATIVE ENFORCEMENT
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1        PROCEEDINGS;  AMENDING  SECTION  54-1915, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS
  2        APPLICABLE TO THE PROCEDURE FOR THE  IMPOSITION  OF  DISCIPLINE;  AMENDING
  3        SECTION  54-1916,  IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO JUDICIAL
  4        REVIEW AND APPEALS PROCEDURES; AMENDING  SECTIONS  54-1926  AND  54-1926A,
  5        IDAHO  CODE,  TO REVISE CODE REFERENCES AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS;
  6        AMENDING SECTION 54-4503, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE A CODE REFERENCE; AMENDING
  7        SECTION 54-4508, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DISCIPLIN-
  8        ARY PROCEEDINGS; REPEALING SECTION 59-1026, IDAHO CODE, RELATING TO PENAL-
  9        TIES FOR EVADING COMPETITIVE BIDDING STATUTES; AMENDING CHAPTER 10,  TITLE
 10        59,  IDAHO  CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 59-1026, IDAHO CODE, TO
 11        PROHIBIT THE WILLFUL AND KNOWING AVOIDANCE OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND PRO-
 12        CUREMENT STATUTES AND TO PROVIDE FOR CIVIL PENALTIES; AMENDING  TITLE  67,
 13        IDAHO  CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW CHAPTER 28, TITLE 67, IDAHO CODE, TO
 14        PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE INTENT, TO PROVIDE FOR  APPLICABILITY,  TO  SET  FORTH
 15        EXCLUSIONS, TO PROVIDE FOR A WAIVER, TO SET FORTH PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO
 16        PROCUREMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION, TO SET FORTH PROVISIONS APPLICA-
 17        BLE  TO PROCURING SERVICES OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, TO PROVIDE FOR JOINT PUR-
 18        CHASING AGREEMENTS, TO PROVIDE FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ASSOCIATIONS AND TO PRO-
 19        VIDE FOR EMERGENCY EXPENDITURES AND  SOLE  SOURCE  EXPENDITURES;  AMENDING
 20        SECTION 67-4912, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PURCHASING
 21        BY  AUDITORIUM  DISTRICTS AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SEC-
 22        TION 67-5711, IDAHO CODE, TO INCREASE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR  CERTAIN  CON-
 23        TRACTS  FOR  CONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION, EQUIPPING, FURNISHING AND REPAIR OF
 24        PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND WORKS AND TO MAKE A  TECHNICAL  CORRECTION;  AMENDING
 25        SECTION  67-5711C, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE CON-
 26        STRUCTION OF PUBLIC PROJECTS AND COMPETITIVE SEALED BIDDING; AMENDING SEC-
 27        TION 70-1612, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS  APPLICABLE  TO  PURCHASING
 28        PROCEDURES OF PORT DISTRICTS; AND AMENDING SECTION 70-1613, IDAHO CODE, TO
 29        REVISE  PROVISIONS  APPLICABLE  TO NOTICE AND CONTRACT AWARDS BY PORT DIS-
 30        TRICTS AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
                                                                        
 31    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 32        SECTION 1.  That Section 31-1001, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 33    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 34        31-1001.  ERECTION  OF  BUILDINGS -- FURNISHING OF OFFICES -- CONTRACTS --
 35    LEASE OF PREMISES FOR COURTHOUSE OR JAIL -- BOOKS AND  STATIONERY.  The  board
 36    must  cause to be erected or furnished, a courthouse, jail and such other pub-
 37    lic buildings as may be necessary, and must, when necessary,  provide  offices
 38    with  necessary  furniture for the sheriff, clerk of the district court and ex
 39    officio auditor and recorder, county treasurer, prosecuting  attorney,  county
 40    assessor  and  county surveyor, and must draw warrants in payment of the same:
 41    provided, that the contract for the erection of any  such  buildings  must  be
 42    left  let,  after thirty (30) days' notice for proposals, to the lowest bidder
 43    who will give security for the completion of any contract he may make respect-
 44    ing the same; and, provided further, no contracts for the purchase  of  furni-
 45    ture must be let under the provisions of this section when the expenses there-
 46    under  will  exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). And, provided further, that
 47    no part of the provisions of this section shall be construed  to  prevent  the
 48    board of county commissioners, from entering into a lease for courthouse prem-
 49    ises,  rooms and jail for any period in their discretion, not to exceed thirty
 50    (30) years, and provided that  the  county  commissioners  may  contract  with
 51    responsible  parties  for the leasing of a courthouse, jail and hospital, or a
 52    combination of courthouse, jail and  hospital,  or  fairground  buildings  and
                                                                        
                                           3
                                                                        
  1    facilities,  to be constructed upon premises owned by the county or otherwise,
  2    provided that said contract shall be let subject to the provisions of  chapter
  3    4028, of  this title 67, Idaho Code; the contract also may provide that at the
  4    expiration  of  the  term of the lease, upon full performance of such lease by
  5    the county, the said courthouse premises, rooms and jail, fairground buildings
  6    and facilities, or so much thereof as is leased, may become  the  property  of
  7    the  county. The board must also provide all necessary books of record for the
  8    county auditor and recorder, county treasurer, county assessor, and  tax  col-
  9    lector,  clerk  of the district court, county surveyor, and the books and sta-
 10    tionery for the use of the board, and so much as is necessary for the  use  of
 11    said  county  officers in the transaction of official business. Nothing herein
 12    shall  be construed as limiting or otherwise affecting a lease or other trans-
 13    action between the Idaho health facilities authority and the board  of  county
 14    commissioners as provided in section 31-836, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 15        SECTION  2.  That  Section 31-3615, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 16    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 17        31-3615.  CONTRACTING AND PROCUREMENT POWERS OF BOARD. The county hospital
 18    board shall have power to contract for, purchase and  pay  for  all  material,
 19    equipment,  services  and  supplies necessary or convenient for the efficient,
 20    economical and successful operation and maintenance  of  the  county  hospital
 21    properties.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of section 31-4003, Idaho Code,
 22    tThe county hospital board may make expenditures which are not  in  excess  of
 23    ten  thousand  dollars ($10,000) without submitting the expenditure to bidding
 24    procedures if the board believes that only one (1) supplier is  available  for
 25    the  product  or  service to be purchased in accordance with the provisions of
 26    chapter 28, title 67, Idaho Code. Moreover, the county  hospital  board  which
 27    participates  with  other hospitals as a member of a group purchasing associa-
 28    tion that engages in a formal competitive bidding process on behalf of  member
 29    institutions  for  the purchase of hospital supplies and equipment may utilize
 30    that bidding process in lieu of the bidding  requirements  in  established  by
 31    chapter  4028,  title 3167, Idaho Code. Verification  of participation in such
 32    a group purchasing association shall be provided by the county hospital  board
 33    upon  request of appropriate governmental officials. For purposes of this sub-
 34    section, payment for services may include reasonable expenses incident to  the
 35    hiring  or maintaining of hospital staff, chief executive officers, board mem-
 36    bers or operating employee personnel, to be incurred and paid under rules  and
 37    regulations adopted and approved as described in section 31-3610, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 38        SECTION  3.  That  Chapter  40,  Title 31, Idaho Code, be, and the same is
 39    hereby repealed.
                                                                        
 40        SECTION 4.  That Section 33-402, Idaho Code, be, and the  same  is  hereby
 41    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 42        33-402.  NOTICE  REQUIREMENTS.  a.  Notice of all school elections must be
 43    given by posting and publishing notice of said elections and such notice shall
 44    state:
 45        1.  The date of holding the election;
 46        2.  The hours between which the polls will be open;
 47        3.  The definite place or places of holding the election;
 48        4.  In the case of election of trustees, the offices  to  be  filled,  the
 49        trustee  zones,  and  a  statement  that declarations of candidacy must be
 50        filed not later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth Friday prior to the day of the
                                                                        
                                           4
                                                                        
  1        election;
  2        5.  In the case of bond election, the amount of the issue, the purpose and
  3        period of the issue;
  4        6.  In the case of the assumption of a debt, the amount of any  such  debt
  5        to be assumed by each district, or part of a district; and
  6        7.  In  all  other elections, a brief statement of the question being sub-
  7        mitted to the electors.
  8        b.  In school elections involving (i) the incurring  or  increasing  of  a
  9    debt,    (ii)  approving  a  levy for a plant facilities reserve fund and term
 10    thereof, (iii) excising and annexing territory, (iv) consolidating  districts,
 11    or  (v)  dividing  a district, notice of the election shall be posted not less
 12    than twenty-one (21) days prior to the day of the election in at  least  three
 13    (3) places in each district participating in or affected by such election, one
 14    (1)  of  which  places shall be at or near the main door of the administrative
 15    offices of each such district, and by publishing at least once each  week  for
 16    three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the day of the election in a newspaper as
 17    provided  in  section  60-106,  Idaho  Code, published in the county or in any
 18    county in which such district may lie and having  general  circulation  within
 19    such district.
 20        c.  Notice  of  all other school elections shall be given in the same man-
 21    ner, except that the posting shall be for not less than  ten  (10)  days,  and
 22    publishing  shall  be  at  least  once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks
 23    prior to the day of the election.
 24        d.  Notice of the deadline for filing declaration of candidacy  for  elec-
 25    tion of trustees shall be posted for not less than ten (10) days and published
 26    at  least  once  each week for two (2) consecutive weeks prior to the last day
 27    for filing nominating petitions as required by section 33-502, Idaho Code.
 28        e.  In elections for excising and annexing the territory  of  school  dis-
 29    tricts,  or  to  create new school districts by consolidation or division, the
 30    clerk of the board of county commissioners of the county in which the district
 31    lies, or of the home county if the district be a joint  district,  shall  pre-
 32    pare, post, sign and arrange for the publishing of, the notice of election. In
 33    all other elections it shall be the duty of the clerk of the board of trustees
 34    so to do.
 35        f.  Notice  of  annual  meeting of elementary school districts as provided
 36    for in section 33-510, Idaho Code, and of intent to discontinue a  school,  as
 37    provided  for in section 33-511, Idaho Code, and annual budget hearing as pro-
 38    vided for in section 33-801, Idaho Code, shall be given by  posting  and  pub-
 39    lishing  as outlined in subsection b of this section except that posting shall
 40    be for not less than ten (10) days, and publishing shall be once  in  a  news-
 41    paper  as  provided  in  section 60-106, Idaho Code, published within the dis-
 42    trict, or, if there be none, then  in  a  newspaper  as  provided  in  section
 43    60-106,  Idaho  Code,  published in the county in which such district lies. If
 44    more than one (1) newspaper is printed  and  published  in  said  district  or
 45    county,  then  in the newspaper most likely to give best general notice of the
 46    election within said district; provided that if no newspaper is  published  in
 47    the  said  district  or  county,  then  in  a newspaper as provided in section
 48    60-106, Idaho Code, most likely to give best general notice  of  the  election
 49    within the district.
 50        g.  Notices calling for bids for the acquisition, use, or disposal of real
 51    and  personal property as provided for in section 33-601, Idaho Code, and con-
 52    tracting for transportation services as provided for in section 33-1510, Idaho
 53    Code, shall be given by publishing twice, not less than one (1) week apart  in
 54    a  newspaper  as  provided in section 60-106, Idaho Code, published within the
 55    district, or, if there be none, then in a newspaper  as  provided  in  section
                                                                        
                                           5
                                                                        
  1    60-106,  Idaho  Code,  published in the county in which such district lies. If
  2    more than one (1) newspaper is printed  and  published  in  said  district  or
  3    county,  then  in the newspaper most likely to give best general notice of the
  4    election within said district; provided that if no newspaper is  published  in
  5    the  said  district  or  county,  then  in  a newspaper as provided in section
  6    60-106, Idaho Code, most likely to give best general notice  of  the  election
  7    within  the  district. The notice inviting bids shall set a date and place for
  8    opening bids. The first publication of the notice shall be at  least  two  (2)
  9    weeks  before  the  date of opening the bids; as required by chapter 28, title
 10    67, Idaho Code, except that the notice for contracting for transportation ser-
 11    vices shall be made not  less than four (4) weeks before the date  of  opening
 12    bids.
 13        h.  Proof  of  posting  notice  shall  be upon the affidavit of the person
 14    posting the same; and proof of publication shall be upon the affidavit of  the
 15    publisher  of  the newspaper or newspapers respectively. Such affidavits shall
 16    be filed with his board by the clerk responsible for the posting and the  pub-
 17    lishing of said notice, before the day of the election named in the notice.
                                                                        
 18        SECTION  5.  That  Section  33-601, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 19    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 20        33-601.  REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY -- ACQUISITION,  USE  OR  DISPOSAL  OF
 21    SAME.  The  board of trustees of each school district shall have the following
 22    powers and duties:
 23        1.  To rent to or from others, school buildings or other property used, or
 24    to be used, for school purposes.
 25        2.  To contract for the construction, repair, or improvement of  any  real
 26    property,  or  the  acquisition, purchase or repair of any equipment, or other
 27    personal property necessary for the operation of the school district.
 28        Except for the purchase of curricular  materials  as  defined  in  section
 29    33-118A,  Idaho  Code,  no  such  contract shall be executed which entails the
 30    expenditure of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more  without  notice
 31    first being given by publishing twice in the manner required by subsections g.
 32    and h. of section 33-402, Idaho Code, unless in cooperation with a cooperative
 33    agency  established  pursuant  to chapter 23, title 67, and/or sections 33-315
 34    through 33-318, Idaho Code, or through a contract that has been  competitively
 35    bid  by  the  state of Idaho, one (1) of its subdivisions, or an agency of the
 36    federal government. The board of trustees may let the contract to  the  lowest
 37    responsible  bidder,  or reject any bid, or reject all bids and publish notice
 38    for bids, as before. If, thereafter, no  satisfactory  bid  is  received,  the
 39    board may proceed under its own direction in accordance with the provisions of
 40    chapter 28, title 67, Idaho Code.
 41        3.  To  designate and purchase any real property necessary for school pur-
 42    poses or in the operation of the district, or remove any building, or  dispose
 43    of  any  real property. Prior to, but not more than one (1) year prior to, any
 44    purchase or disposal of real property, the  board  shall  have  such  property
 45    appraised  by  an  appraiser  certified in the state of Idaho, which appraisal
 46    shall be entered in the records of the board of trustees, and shall be used to
 47    establish the value of the real property. The board of trustees  shall  deter-
 48    mine  the  size  of  the site necessary for school purposes. The site shall be
 49    located within the incorporated limits of any city within the  district;  pro-
 50    vided,  however,  that if the board finds that it is not in the best interests
 51    of the electors and the students of the district to locate the site within the
 52    incorporated limits of a city, the board, by duly adopted  resolution  setting
 53    forth  the  reasons  for  its  finding, may designate a site located elsewhere
                                                                        
                                           6
                                                                        
  1    within the district. In elementary school districts, except upon  removal  for
  2    highway  purposes,  a site may be designated or changed only after approval of
  3    two-thirds (2/3) or more of the electors voting at the annual meeting.
  4        4.  (a) To convey, except as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection,
  5        by deed, bill of sale, or other appropriate instrument, all of the  estate
  6        and interest of the district in any property, real or personal. In elemen-
  7        tary  school districts, except such conveyance as is authorized by subsec-
  8        tion 6. of this section, any of the transactions authorized in  this  sub-
  9        section  shall  be  subject to the approval of two-thirds (2/3) or more of
 10        the electors voting at the annual meeting.
 11             Prior to such sale or conveyance, the board shall have  the  property
 12        appraised  pursuant  to  this section, which appraisal shall be entered in
 13        the records of the board of trustees. The property may be sold  at  public
 14        auction  or  by  sealed bids, as the board of trustees shall determine, to
 15        the highest bidder. Such property may be sold for cash or for  such  terms
 16        and  conditions  as the board of trustees shall determine for a period not
 17        exceeding ten (10) years, with the annual rate of interest on all deferred
 18        payments not less than seven percent (7%) per  annum.  The  title  to  all
 19        property sold on contract shall be retained in the name of the school dis-
 20        trict  until full payment has been made by the purchaser, and title to all
 21        property sold under a note and mortgage or deed of trust shall  be  trans-
 22        ferred  to  the  purchaser at the point of sale under the terms and condi-
 23        tions of the mortgage or deed of trust as  the  board  of  trustees  shall
 24        determine.  Notice  of  the  time and the conditions of such sale shall be
 25        published twice, and proof thereof made, in accordance with subsections g.
 26        and h. of section 33-402, Idaho Code, except that when the appraised value
 27        of the property is less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), one (1) single
 28        notice by publication shall be sufficient and the property shall  be  sold
 29        by sealed bids or at public auction.
 30             The board of trustees may accept the highest bid, may reject any bid,
 31        or  reject  all  bids. If the real property was donated to the school dis-
 32        trict the board may, within a period of one (1) year from the time of  the
 33        appraisal,  sell  the  property without additional advertising or bidding.
 34        Otherwise, the board of trustees must have new appraisals made  and  again
 35        publish notice for bids, as before. If, thereafter, no satisfactory bid is
 36        made  and  received, the board may proceed under its own direction to sell
 37        and convey the property. In no case shall any real property of the  school
 38        district be sold for less than its appraisal.
 39             The  board  of trustees may sell personal property, with an estimated
 40        value of less than one thousand dollars ($1,000),  without  appraisal,  by
 41        sealed  bid  or  at  public auction, provided that there has been not less
 42        than one (1) published advertisement prior to the sale of  said  property.
 43        If the board, by a unanimous vote of those members present, finds that the
 44        property  has  an estimated value of less than five hundred dollars ($500)
 45        and is of insufficient value to defray the costs of arranging a sale,  the
 46        property may be disposed of in the most cost-effective and expedient  man-
 47        ner  by  an  employee  of  the  district empowered for that purpose by the
 48        board.
 49        (b)  Real and personal property may be exchanged hereunder for other prop-
 50        erty. Provided, however, that aside from the provisions of this paragraph,
 51        any school district may by a vote of one-half (1/2) plus one  (1)  of  the
 52        members of the full board of trustees, by resolution duly adopted, author-
 53        ize  the  transfer or conveyance of any real or personal property owned by
 54        such school district to the government of the  United  States,  any  city,
 55        county,  the state of Idaho, any hospital district organized under chapter
                                                                        
                                           7
                                                                        
  1        13, title 39, Idaho Code, any other school district, any library district,
  2        any community college district, or any recreation district, with or  with-
  3        out  any  consideration accruing to the school district, when in the judg-
  4        ment of the board of trustees it is for the interest of such  school  dis-
  5        trict  that  said transfer or conveyance be made. Prior to any transfer or
  6        conveyance of any real or personal property  pursuant  to  this  paragraph
  7        4.(b),  the board shall have the property appraised by an appraiser certi-
  8        fied in the state of Idaho,  which  appraisal  shall  be  entered  in  the
  9        records of the board of trustees, and shall be used to establish the value
 10        of the real or personal property.
 11        5.  To enter into contracts with any city located within the boundaries of
 12    the school district for the joint purchase, construction, development, mainte-
 13    nance and equipping of playgrounds, ball parks, swimming pools, and other rec-
 14    reational  facilities upon property owned either by the school district or the
 15    city.
 16        6.  To convey rights-of-way and easements for highway, public utility, and
 17    other purposes over, upon or across any school property and, when necessary to
 18    the use of such property for any such purpose, to  authorize  the  removal  of
 19    school buildings to such new location, or locations, as shall be determined by
 20    the board of trustees, and such removal shall be made at no cost or expense to
 21    the school district.
 22        7.  To  authorize the use of any school building of the district as a com-
 23    munity center, or for any  public  purpose,  and  to  establish  a  policy  of
 24    charges, if any, to be made for such use.
 25        8.  To  exercise the right of eminent domain under the provisions of chap-
 26    ter 7, title 7, Idaho Code, for any of the uses and purposes provided in  sec-
 27    tion 7-701, Idaho Code.
 28        9.  If  there  is  a great public calamity, such as an extraordinary fire,
 29    flood, storm, epidemic, or other disaster, or if it is necessary to  do  emer-
 30    gency  work to prepare for national or local defense, or it is necessary to do
 31    emergency work to safeguard life, health or property, the  board  of  trustees
 32    may  pass a resolution declaring that the public interest and necessity demand
 33    the immediate expenditure of public money to safeguard life, health  or  prop-
 34    erty.  Upon  adoption of the resolution, the board may expend any sum required
 35    in the emergency without compliance with this section.
                                                                        
 36        SECTION 6.  That Section 33-601A, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 37    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 38        33-601A.  LEASING  OF  GOODS, EQUIPMENT, BUSES AND PORTABLE CLASSROOMS. No
 39    provision of chapter 6, title 33, or chapter 28, title 67, Idaho  Code,  shall
 40    be  construed to prevent a board of trustees from entering into lease-purchase
 41    agreements for goods, equipment, buses or portable  classrooms,  provided  the
 42    agreement is in writing and meets all of the following requirements:
 43        (1)  The  annual  lease payments shall reflect reasonable compensation for
 44    use;
 45        (2)  No penalty shall be imposed on the school district for proper cancel-
 46    lation of the lease;
 47        (3)  The right to exercise the option to purchase shall  be  at  the  sole
 48    discretion of the school district; and
 49        (4)  The  cost  of  purchase  shall not exceed the reasonable value of the
 50    goods, equipment, buses or portable classrooms as of the time  the  option  to
 51    purchase is exercised.
 52        For  the  purposes  of this section, "portable classroom" means a facility
 53    which is not so related to particular real  estate  that  an  interest  in  it
                                                                        
                                           8
                                                                        
  1    arises under real estate law.
                                                                        
  2        SECTION  7.  That  Section  40-901, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  3    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
  4        40-901.  APPLICATION. The requirements for contracts and bids  shall  that
  5    apply  to  all  county highway systems and highway districts of the state, but
  6    shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 28, title  67,  Idaho  Code,  in
  7    concert  with the provisions of any specific statute pertaining to the letting
  8    of any contract or the purchase or acquisition of  any commodity or  thing  by
  9    any  system or highway  district by soliciting and receiving competitive bids,
 10    and shall not be construed as modifying or  amending  the  provisions  of  any
 11    statute, nor preventing the district from doing any work by its own employees.
                                                                        
 12        SECTION  8.  That Sections 40-906, 40-907, 40-908, 40-909, 40-910, 40-911,
 13    40-912 and 40-916, Idaho Code, be, and the same are hereby repealed.
                                                                        
 14        SECTION 9.  That Section 42-3115, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 15    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 16        42-3115.  COMMISSIONERS  --  POWERS AND DUTIES. The board of commissioners
 17    of flood control districts shall have the following powers and duties:
 18        1.  To annually fix and determine, the amount  of  money  required  to  be
 19    raised  by taxation to supply funds for costs of construction, costs of opera-
 20    tion and maintenance of the work and equipment of the district,  and  to  levy
 21    and  cause to be collected assessments on real property within the district in
 22    an amount not to exceed six hundredths of one percent  (.06%)  of  the  market
 23    value  for  assessment  purposes  on all taxable property within the district,
 24    provided however that a higher levy may be approved and ratified by the quali-
 25    fied voters at an election to be held, subject to the  provisions  of  section
 26    34-106,  Idaho  Code,  for that purpose in the same manner as provided for the
 27    approval and ratification of contracts, in section 42-3117,  Idaho  Code,  and
 28    said levy shall be certified by the board to the board of county commissioners
 29    of the county, or counties, in which said district is located, with directions
 30    that  at  the  time  and  in  the manner required by law for levying taxes for
 31    county purposes, such board, or boards, of  county  commissioners  shall  levy
 32    such  tax  upon  the market value for assessment purposes of the real property
 33    within the boundaries of the district. Such certification of levies  shall  be
 34    prepared  and  forwarded  by  the  board  of the flood control district to the
 35    board, or boards, of county commissioners on or before  September  1  of  each
 36    year.
 37        Such  levies  shall be levied and collected in the manner provided by law,
 38    and the moneys collected shall be turned over to the treasurer or  treasurers,
 39    of the county, or counties, in which said district is located.
 40        Said  moneys  shall  be  public funds and subject to the provisions of the
 41    public depository laws of the state.
 42        2.  To employ such personnel as may be necessary to carry out the purposes
 43    and objects of this act chapter, with the full power to bind said district for
 44    the compensation of such personnel.
 45        3.  To sue and be sued in the name of the district; to have a seal,  which
 46    seal  shall  be judicially noticed; to have perpetual succession unless termi-
 47    nated as hereinafter provided; to make and execute contracts and other instru-
 48    ments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its power and to  promulgate,
 49    amend and repeal rules not consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
 50        4.  To  manage  and conduct the business and affairs of the district, both
                                                                        
                                           9
                                                                        
  1    within and without the district.
  2        5.  To construct, operate and maintain structural works of improvement for
  3    the prevention of floodwater  and  sediment  damages,  and  the  conservation,
  4    development, utilization, and disposal of water, whether within or without the
  5    boundaries  of  the  district, and to enter into contract for the purposes set
  6    forth above, provided however, that the board  shall not enter into  contracts
  7    that  necessitate  an  expenditure  in  excess  of   fifteen  thousand dollars
  8    ($15,000), without first advertising for sealed  competitive  bids  as  herein
  9    provided  purchase  goods  and  services  in accordance with the provisions of
 10    chapter 28, title 67, Idaho Code. However, where it is determined by order  of
 11    the  board that there is an existing emergency, or where it is determined that
 12    the district is in a flood fight resulting from unanticipated conditions,  the
 13    requirement for sealed competitive bids shall not apply.
 14        6.  To  prescribe  the  duties of officers, agents and employees as may be
 15    required.
 16        7.  To establish the fiscal year of the district and to  keep  records  of
 17    all business transactions of the district.
 18        8.  To  prepare  a statement of the financial condition of the district at
 19    the end of each fiscal year, in a form to be prescribed by the director or  by
 20    the legislative services office, and publish in at least one (1) issue of some
 21    newspaper published, or in general circulation in, the county, or counties, in
 22    which  such district is located and to file a certified copy of such financial
 23    report with the director and the legislative services office on or before Feb-
 24    ruary 2 of each year.
 25        9.  To have an audit of the financial affairs of the district as  required
 26    in  section 67-450B, Idaho Code. A certified copy of said audit shall be filed
 27    with the director on or before February 2 following the audit.
 28        10. To obtain options upon and acquire by purchase, exchange, lease, gift,
 29    grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise, any  property,  real  or  personal,  and
 30    improve any properties acquired; to receive income from such properties and to
 31    expend  such  income in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this chap-
 32    ter; to lease any of its property or interest therein in  furtherance  of  the
 33    purposes  and  provisions of this chapter, provided that no contract or agree-
 34    ment for the acquisition, purchase or repair of  personal  property  involving
 35    expenditure  in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), shall be entered into
 36    without first advertising for sealed competitive bids as herein provided.
 37        11. To have the power of eminent domain for the use of the district in the
 38    construction, operation, maintenance and upkeep of its structures,  waterways,
 39    dikes,  dams,  basins,  or  any other use necessary in the carrying out of the
 40    provisions of this chapter.
 41        12. To convey rights-of-way and easements for highways, public roads, pub-
 42    lic utilities, and for other purposes, over district  property,  as  shall  be
 43    determined by the board to be in the best interests of the district.
 44        13. To convey, by deed, bill of sale, or other appropriate instrument, all
 45    of  the estate and interest of the district, in any real or personal property.
 46    Prior to such sale or conveyance, the board shall have the property  appraised
 47    by three (3) disinterested residents of the district, which appraisal shall be
 48    entered  in  the minutes of the board. The property may be sold at public auc-
 49    tion or at a private sale by sealed  competitive  bids,  as  the  board  shall
 50    determine,  to  the  highest  cash  bidder, provided that in no case shall any
 51    property of a district be sold for less than its appraised value. All sales by
 52    sealed competitive bids shall be advertised as herein provided.
 53        14. To use natural streams and to improve the same for use as a flood con-
 54    trol structure. However, in the event that  the  use  of  the  natural  stream
 55    involves alteration of the stream channel, no such alteration shall be made by
                                                                        
                                           10
                                                                        
  1    the district until such alteration is approved by the director.
  2        15. To enter into contracts or agreements with the United States or any of
  3    its  officers,  agents, or subdivisions, or with the state or any of its offi-
  4    cers, agents or political subdivisions, and to  cooperate  with  such  govern-
  5    ments,  persons  or  agencies in effectuating, promoting and accomplishing the
  6    purposes of this chapter, provided that the district has  sufficient moneys on
  7    hand, or in their budget for the year in which said contract is entered  into,
  8    to  defray  the  expenditure  of funds called for in such contract without the
  9    creation of any indebtedness.
 10        Whenever any such contract shall, by its terms, require the expenditure of
 11    funds by the district in excess of the moneys on hand or the funds to be real-
 12    ized from their budget for the year in which said contract  is  entered  into,
 13    then  such  contract may not be entered into by the district until ratified by
 14    two-thirds (2/3) of the qualified voters voting at an  election  to  be  held,
 15    subject  to  the  provisions  of section 34-106, Idaho Code, for that purpose,
 16    according to the provisions of this chapter.
 17        16. To bear its allocated share of the cost of any project resulting  from
 18    any contract or agreement entered into as provided herein.
 19        17. To  take  over,  administer  and maintain pursuant to any agreement or
 20    contract entered into in accordance with the provisions of this  act  chapter,
 21    any  flood  control  project  within or without the boundaries of the district
 22    undertaken in cooperation with the United States or any of  its  agencies,  or
 23    with the state of Idaho or any of its agencies, or any combinations thereof.
 24        18. To  accept  donations,  gifts and contributions in money, services, or
 25    materials, or otherwise, from the United States or any of its agencies, or the
 26    state of Idaho or any of its agencies or  any  combinations  thereof,  and  to
 27    expend such moneys, services, or materials in carrying on its operations.
 28        19. To  exercise  all  other powers necessary, convenient or incidental to
 29    carrying out the purposes and provisions of the chapter.
                                                                        
 30        SECTION 10.  That Section 42-3116, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 31    repealed.
                                                                        
 32        SECTION  11.  That Section 42-3212, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 33    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 34        42-3212.  GENERAL POWERS OF BOARD. For and on behalf of the  district  the
 35    board shall have the following powers:
 36        (a)  To have perpetual existence;
 37        (b)  To have and use a corporate seal;
 38        (c)  To sue and be sued, and be a party to suits, actions and proceedings;
 39        (d)  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, to enter into contracts
 40    and  agreements,  cooperative and otherwise, affecting the affairs of the dis-
 41    trict, including contracts with the United States of America and  any  of  its
 42    agencies or instrumentalities, and contracts with corporations, public or pri-
 43    vate,  municipalities, or governmental subdivisions, and to cooperate with any
 44    one (1) or more of them in building, erecting or constructing  works,  canals,
 45    pipelines, sewage treatment plants, and other facilities within or without the
 46    district.  Except in cases in which a district will receive aid from a govern-
 47    mental agency, a notice shall be published for bids on all  construction  con-
 48    tracts  involving an expense of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) or more for
 49    labor, materials and equipment, which sum  shall  exclude  design  costs,  bid
 50    advertising  and related bidding expenses. The district may reject any and all
 51    bids, and if it shall appear that the district can perform the work or  secure
 52    material  for less than the lowest bid, it may proceed so to do procurement of
                                                                        
                                           11
                                                                        
  1    goods or services shall be in accordance with the provisions  of  chapter  28,
  2    title 67, Idaho Code;
  3        (e)  To  borrow money and incur indebtedness and evidence the same by cer-
  4    tificate,  notes or debentures, and to issue bonds,  in  accordance  with  the
  5    provisions of this chapter;
  6        (f)  To  acquire,  dispose  of  and  encumber  real and personal property,
  7    water, water rights, water and sewage systems and  plants,  and  any  interest
  8    therein, including leases and easements within or without said district;
  9        (g)  To  refund  any  bonded indebtedness of the district without an elec-
 10    tion; provided, however, that the obligations of the  district  shall  not  be
 11    increased  by any refund of bonded indebtedness. Otherwise, the terms and con-
 12    ditions of refunding bonds shall be substantially the  same  as  those  of  an
 13    original issue of bonds;
 14        (h)  To  have  the management, control and supervision of all the business
 15    and affairs of the district, and the construction, installation, operation and
 16    maintenance of district improvements therein or therefor;
 17        (i)  To hire and retain agents, employees, engineers and attorneys;
 18        (j)  To have and exercise the power of eminent domain in the  manner  pro-
 19    vided  by  law for the condemnation of private property for public use to take
 20    any property necessary to the exercise of  the  powers  herein  granted,  both
 21    within and without the district;
 22        (k)  To construct and maintain works and establish and maintain facilities
 23    across or along any public street or highway, and in, upon, or over any vacant
 24    public  lands,  which public lands are now, or may become, the property of the
 25    state of Idaho, and to construct works and establish and  maintain  facilities
 26    across  any  stream of water or watercourse, and to maintain access to facili-
 27    ties and works by the removal of snow from roads and lands; provided, however,
 28    that the district shall promptly restore any such street  or  highway  to  its
 29    former  state of usefulness as nearly as may be, and shall not use the same in
 30    such manner as to completely or unnecessarily impair the usefulness thereof;
 31        (l)  To fix and from time to time to increase or decrease water and  sewer
 32    rates,  tolls or charges for services or facilities furnished by the district,
 33    and to pledge such revenue for the payment of any  indebtedness  of  the  dis-
 34    trict.  The board shall fix rates, tolls and charges and the time or times for
 35    the payment thereof. All such rates, tolls and charges not paid within  thirty
 36    (30)  days  after  the  date fixed for the payment thereof shall become delin-
 37    quent; the board shall certify all such delinquent rates, tolls and charges to
 38    the tax collector of the county by the district, not later than the first  day
 39    of  August  and  shall be, by said tax collector, placed upon the tax roll and
 40    collected in the same manner and subject to the same penalties as  other  dis-
 41    trict  taxes; provided, however, that special assessments certified to the tax
 42    collector which are placed on property qualifying for a hardship exemption may
 43    be returned to the taxing district from which they originated if  the  special
 44    assessments  are not paid within three (3) years. The date of priority of such
 45    lien shall be the date upon which such charge becomes  delinquent.  The  board
 46    shall shut off or discontinue service for delinquencies in the payment of such
 47    rates,  tolls  or  charges, or in the payment of taxes levied pursuant to this
 48    chapter, and prescribe and enforce rules and regulations  for  the  connection
 49    with  and the disconnection from properties of the facilities of the district.
 50    For health and sanitary purposes the board shall have the power to compel  the
 51    owners of inhabited property within a sewer district to connect their property
 52    with  the  sewer  system  of  such  district, and upon a failure so to connect
 53    within sixty (60) days after written notice by the board so to  do  the  board
 54    may  cause such connection to be made and a lien to be filed against the prop-
 55    erty for the expense incurred in making such  connection,  provided,  however,
                                                                        
                                           12
                                                                        
  1    that  no  owner  shall  be  compelled to connect his property with such system
  2    unless a service line is brought, by the district, to a point within two  hun-
  3    dred (200) feet of his dwelling place;
  4        (m)  To  adopt  and amend bylaws not in conflict with the constitution and
  5    laws of the state for carrying on the business, objects  and  affairs  of  the
  6    board and of the district;
  7        (n)  To have and exercise all rights and powers necessary or incidental to
  8    or implied from the specific powers granted herein. Such specific powers shall
  9    not  be  considered as a limitation upon any power necessary or appropriate to
 10    carry out the purposes and intent of this chapter.
                                                                        
 11        SECTION 12.  That Section 42-4416, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 12    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 13        42-4416.  COMMISSIONERS  --  POWERS AND DUTIES. The board of commissioners
 14    of levee districts shall have the following powers and duties:
 15        (1)  To annually fix and determine the amount  of  money  required  to  be
 16    raised by taxation to supply funds for costs of maintenance, operation, and/or
 17    construction  of  the  levees  and  equipment of the district, and to levy and
 18    cause to be collected assessments on real property within the district  in  an
 19    amount  not to exceed eight hundredths percent (.08%) of each dollar of market
 20    value for assessment purposes; provided, however, that a higher  levy  may  be
 21    approved  and ratified by the qualified voters at an election to be held, sub-
 22    ject to the provisions of section 34-106, Idaho Code, for  that  purpose,  and
 23    said levy shall be certified by the board to the board of county commissioners
 24    of the county, or counties, in which said district is located, with directions
 25    that  at  the  time  and  in  the manner required by law for levying taxes for
 26    county purposes, such board, or boards, of  county  commissioners  shall  levy
 27    such  tax  upon  the real property within the boundaries of the district. Such
 28    certification of levies shall be prepared and forwarded by the  board  of  the
 29    levee  district  to the board, or boards, of county commissioners on or before
 30    September 1, of each year.
 31        Such levies shall be levied and collected in the manner provided  by  law,
 32    and  the moneys collected shall be turned over to the treasurer or treasurers,
 33    of the county, or counties, in which said district is located.
 34        Said moneys shall be public funds and subject to  the  provisions  of  the
 35    public depository laws of the state.
 36        (2)  To  employ  such  personnel as may be necessary to carry out the pur-
 37    poses and objects of this chapter, with the full power to bind  said  district
 38    for the compensation of such personnel.
 39        (3)  To sue and be sued in the name of the district; to have a seal, which
 40    seal  shall  be judicially noticed; to have perpetual succession unless termi-
 41    nated as hereinafter provided; to make and execute contracts and other instru-
 42    ments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its power and to  promulgate,
 43    amend  and  repeal rules and regulations not consistent with the provisions of
 44    this chapter.
 45        (4)  To manage and conduct the business and affairs of the district,  both
 46    within and without the district.
 47        (5)  To maintain, operate and/or construct levees for containment of irri-
 48    gation  water  and  for the prevention of floodwater whether within or without
 49    the boundaries of the district, and to enter into contract  for  the  purposes
 50    set  forth  above; provided, however, that the board shall not enter into con-
 51    tracts that necessitate an expenditure in  excess  of  five  thousand  dollars
 52    ($5,000), without first advertising for sealed competitive bids as herein pro-
 53    vided  except in accordance with the provisions of chapter 28, title 67, Idaho
                                                                        
                                           13
                                                                        
  1    Code. However, where it is determined by order of the board that there  is  an
  2    existing  emergency,  the  requirement  for  sealed competitive bids shall not
  3    apply.
  4        (6)  To prescribe the duties of officers, agents and employees as  may  be
  5    required.
  6        (7)  To  establish  the fiscal year of the district and to keep records of
  7    all business transactions of the district.
  8        (8)  To prepare a statement of the financial condition of the district  at
  9    the end of each fiscal year according to generally accepted accounting princi-
 10    ples, and publish in at least one (1) issue of some newspaper published, or in
 11    general  circulation  in,  the  county, or counties, in which such district is
 12    located and to file a certified copy of such financial report with the  direc-
 13    tor of the department of water resources.
 14        (9)  To have an audit of the financial affairs of the district as required
 15    in section 67-450B, Idaho Code.
 16        (10) To  obtain  options  upon  and  acquire by purchase, exchange, lease,
 17    gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise, any property,  real  or  personal,
 18    and  improve  any  properties acquired; to receive income from such properties
 19    and to expend such income in carrying out the purposes and provisions of  this
 20    chapter;  to  lease  any of its property or interest therein in furtherance of
 21    the purposes and provisions of this chapter, provided that no any contract  or
 22    agreement for the acquisition, purchase or repair of personal property involv-
 23    ing  expenditure  in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), shall be entered
 24    into without first advertising for sealed competitive bids as herein  provided
 25    in accordance with the provisions of chapter 28, title 67, Idaho Code.
 26        (11) To  have  the  power of eminent domain for the use of the district in
 27    the maintenance, operation, and construction of its levees or  any  other  use
 28    necessary in the carrying out of the provisions of this chapter.
 29        (12) To  convey  rights-of-way  and  easements for highways, public roads,
 30    public utilities, and for other purposes, over district property, as shall  be
 31    determined by the board to be in the best interests of the district.
 32        (13) To  convey,  by  deed, bill of sale, or other appropriate instrument,
 33    all of the estate and interest of the district, in any real or personal  prop-
 34    erty.  Prior  to  such  sale  or conveyance, the board shall have the property
 35    appraised  by  three  (3)  disinterested  residents  of  the  district,  which
 36    appraisal shall be entered in the minutes of the board. The  property  may  be
 37    sold at public auction or at a private sale by sealed competitive bids, as the
 38    board  shall  determine,  to the highest cash bidder, provided that in no case
 39    shall any property of a district be sold for less than  its  appraised  value.
 40    All sales by sealed competitive bids shall be advertised as herein provided.
 41        (14) To  enter  into contracts or agreements with the United States or any
 42    of its officers, agents or subdivisions, or with the state or any of its offi-
 43    cers, persons or agencies in effectuating,  promoting  and  accomplishing  the
 44    purposes  of this chapter, provided that the district has sufficient moneys on
 45    hand, or in their budget for the year in which said contract is entered  into,
 46    to  defray  the  expenditure  of funds called for in such contract without the
 47    creation of any indebtedness.
 48        Whenever any such contract shall, by its terms, require the expenditure of
 49    funds by the district in excess of the moneys on hand or the funds to be real-
 50    ized from their budget for the year in which said contract  is  entered  into,
 51    then  such  contract may not be entered into by the district until ratified by
 52    two-thirds (2/3) of the qualified voters voting at an  election  to  be  held,
 53    subject  to  the  provisions  of section 34-106, Idaho Code, for that purpose,
 54    according to the provisions of this chapter.
 55        (15) To bear its allocated share of the cost of any project resulting from
                                                                        
                                           14
                                                                        
  1    any contract or agreement entered into as provided herein.
  2        (16) To take over, administer and maintain pursuant to  any  agreement  or
  3    contract  entered  into in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, any
  4    levee project within or without the boundaries of the district  undertaken  in
  5    cooperation  with  the United States or any of its agencies, or with the state
  6    of Idaho or any of its agencies, or any combinations thereof.
  7        (17) To accept donations, gifts and contributions in money,  services,  or
  8    materials  or otherwise, from the United States or any of its agencies, or the
  9    state of Idaho or any of its agencies or  any  combinations  thereof,  and  to
 10    expend such moneys, services, or materials in carrying on its operations.
 11        (18) To  exercise  all other powers necessary, convenient or incidental to
 12    carrying out the purposes and provisions of this chapter.
                                                                        
 13        SECTION 13.  That Section 43-318A, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 14    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 15        43-318A.  TRADE-IN OR EXCHANGE OF DISTRICT PROPERTY. Whenever the board of
 16    directors  of an irrigation district finds and by resolution declares that the
 17    district no longer has use for any personal property of the district, or finds
 18    and declares that such property is no longer economical to use,  the  district
 19    may, in lieu of the sale of said property as provided in section 43-318, Idaho
 20    Code,  dispose  of the property by exchanging the same in part payment for new
 21    or replacement property.
 22        If the acquisition of the new or replacement property is  required  to  be
 23    let  to bid under the provisions of section 43-901 chapter 28, title 67, Idaho
 24    Code, the district shall include in its request for bids, a  full  description
 25    of  the  property to be exchanged as part payment, and shall permit any inter-
 26    ested bidder to examine the same, and any contract let as a result of said bid
 27    shall be awarded on the basis of net cost to the district after allowance  for
 28    the property to be exchanged in part payment.
 29        Exchange  of  property  will be permitted only when, in the opinion of the
 30    board of directors of the district, the sale of the property under the  provi-
 31    sions  of  section  43-318, Idaho Code, will yield a lesser monetary return to
 32    the district than the exchange thereof as herein provided.
                                                                        
 33        SECTION 14.  That Section 43-901, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 34    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 35        43-901.  CONTRACTS  FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK AND PURCHASING. A. The following
 36    provisions relative to competitive bidding set forth in chapter 28, title  67,
 37    Idaho Code, apply to all irrigation districts of the state of Idaho, but shall
 38    be subject to the provisions of any specific statute pertaining to the letting
 39    of  any  contract, purchase or acquisition of any commodity or thing by solic-
 40    iting and receiving competitive bids therefor, and shall not be  construed  as
 41    modifying  or  amending the provisions of any such statute, nor preventing the
 42    irrigation district from doing any work by its own employees.
 43        B.  The word "expenditure" shall  mean  the  granting  of  a  contract  to
 44    another by the irrigation district, the construction of any works, or any por-
 45    tion thereof,  and every manner and means whereby the irrigation district dis-
 46    burses  funds  or  obligates itself to disburse funds; provided, however, that
 47    "expenditure" does not include disbursement of funds to  any  irrigation  dis-
 48    trict  employee,  official, agent, or for the performance of personal services
 49    to the irrigation district,  or  for  the  acquisition  of  personal  property
 50    through  a contract that has been competitively bid by the state of Idaho, one
 51    of its subdivisions or an agency of  the  federal  government,  and  does  not
                                                                        
                                           15
                                                                        
  1    include the purchase of used personal property.
  2        C.  When the expenditure contemplated exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars
  3    ($25,000),  the  expenditure  shall  be  contracted  for and let to the lowest
  4    responsible bidder.
  5        D.  The notice inviting bids shall set a date and place for the opening of
  6    bids. The first publication of the notice shall be  at  least  two  (2)  weeks
  7    before the date of opening the bids. Notice shall be published at least twice,
  8    not less than one (1) week apart, in the official newspaper of such irrigation
  9    district. The notice shall succinctly set forth the project or construction to
 10    be  done. Any of the following documents shall be made available, upon reason-
 11    able deposit, to any interested bidder: bid form, bidder's instructions,  con-
 12    tract  documents,  general  and  special instructions, drawings and specifica-
 13    tions.
 14        E.  All bids shall be presented or otherwise delivered under sealed  cover
 15    to the secretary with a concise statement marked on the outside thereof gener-
 16    ally  identifying  the  expenditure to which said bid pertains. All bids shall
 17    contain one (1) of the following forms of bidder's security:
 18        a.  Cash;
 19        b.  Cashier's check made payable to the irrigation district;
 20        c.  A certified check made payable to the irrigation district;
 21        d.  A bidder's bond executed by a qualified surety company,  made  payable
 22        to the irrigation district.
 23        F.  The security shall be an amount equal to at least ten percent (10%) of
 24    the  amount  bid. A bid shall not be considered unless one (1) of the forms of
 25    bidder's security is enclosed with it, and unless the bid is  submitted  in  a
 26    form  which  substantially  complies  with the form provided by the irrigation
 27    district.
 28        G.  Any bid received by the irrigation district may not be withdrawn after
 29    the time set in the notice for opening of bids.  All  bids  received  must  be
 30    opened  at  the  time and place set in the notice inviting bids, and no person
 31    shall be denied the right to be present at the opening of bids.
 32        H.  If the successful bidder fails to execute the contract, the amount  of
 33    his  bidder's  security  shall be forfeited to the irrigation district and the
 34    proceeds shall be deposited in the fund out of which the expenses of  prepara-
 35    tion and printing of the plans and specifications, estimates of costs and pub-
 36    lication of notice are paid.
 37        I.  The  irrigation  district may, on refusal or failure of the successful
 38    bidder to execute the contract, award it to the next lowest  responsible  bid-
 39    der.  If  the board awards the contract to the next lowest responsible bidder,
 40    the amount of the said lowest responsible bidder's security shall  be  applied
 41    by the irrigation district to the difference between the said lowest responsi-
 42    ble  bid  and  the  said next lowest responsible bid, and the surplus, if any,
 43    shall be returned to the said lowest bidder if cash or check is  used,  or  to
 44    the surety on the bidder's bond if a bond is used.
 45        J.  In  its  discretion, the board may reject any bids presented and read-
 46    vertise. If two (2) or more bids are the same and the lowest responsible bids,
 47    the board may accept the one it chooses. If no bids are  received,  the  board
 48    may make the expenditure without further compliance with this section.
 49        K.  After  rejecting  bids,  the board may, after finding it to be a fact,
 50    pass a resolution declaring that the thing sought to be  accomplished  by  the
 51    expenditure  can be performed more economically by day labor, or the materials
 52    or supplies furnished at a lower price in the open market.  Upon  adoption  of
 53    the  resolution,  it  may have the thing sought to be accomplished done in the
 54    manner stated without further compliance with this section.
 55        L.  If there is a great public calamity, as an extraordinary fire,  flood,
                                                                        
                                           16
                                                                        
  1    storm,  epidemic or other disaster, or if it is necessary to do emergency work
  2    to prepare for national or local defense, or if the irrigation system  of  the
  3    district  has been seriously damaged or impaired, the board may pass a resolu-
  4    tion declaring that the public interest and  necessity  demand  the  immediate
  5    expenditure  of  public  money  to  safeguard  life,  health or property or to
  6    replace or repair any damaged portion of the irrigation system  or  to  remove
  7    any  impediment  therefrom. Upon adoption of the resolution, it may expend any
  8    sum required in the emergency without compliance with this section.
                                                                        
  9        SECTION 15.  That Section 43-903, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 10    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 11        43-903.  NOTICE  FOR BIDS DISPENSED WITH. On the petition of fifty (50) or
 12    a majority of the owners of land in said district, to be  determined  as  pro-
 13    vided  by  section  43-101, Idaho Code, the board of directors may do any work
 14    mentioned in the preceding section on behalf of the district, and it  may  use
 15    the  construction fund therefor; in such case they need not publish notice for
 16    bids as provided in the last preceding section 43-901, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 17        SECTION 16.  That Section 43-2508, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 18    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 19        43-2508.  RESOLUTION CREATING LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND PROCEDURE FOR
 20    CONSTRUCTION  BIDS. If, after the hearing on the creation of the district, the
 21    board finds that the local improvement district will be for the best  interest
 22    of  the property affected and the district; that there is reasonable probabil-
 23    ity that the obligations of such local improvement district will be paid;  and
 24    the  value  of  the property within the proposed local improvement district is
 25    sufficient; it shall then adopt a  resolution providing for such  improvements
 26    and creating a local improvement district to be called "Local Improvement Dis-
 27    trict  No.  ...  for  ............  Irrigation  District,  Idaho," which shall
 28    include all of the property within said local improvement district  in  accor-
 29    dance  with the findings of the board, and said resolution shall set forth the
 30    boundaries of the local improvement district, provide the  improvements  which
 31    shall  be  made,  and  state that the total cost and expenses thereof shall be
 32    assessed according to the percentage or calculation hereinbefore mentioned  on
 33    all  benefited  property  in the local improvement district by using the gross
 34    acreage method of assessment contemplated in the notice of  intention  subject
 35    to  any  variation  therefrom  as a result of the board's determining that the
 36    benefits to be derived by certain lots or parcels  of  property  warrant  such
 37    variations.  The  board  shall appoint an engineer and shall have prepared the
 38    necessary plans and specifications for the construction work  ordered.  Except
 39    as hereinafter otherwise provided, the board shall authorize the advertisement
 40    for  bids  therefor by giving notice calling for sealed bids for the construc-
 41    tion of the work in accordance with the provisions of chapter  28,  title  67,
 42    Idaho Code.
 43        Notice  of advertisement for bids shall be published in the official news-
 44    paper of the district in three (3) consecutive  weekly  issues,  which  notice
 45    shall contain a general description of the kind and amount of work to be done,
 46    state  that  the  plans  and  specifications  for said work are on file in the
 47    office of the engineer or secretary for inspection and state  the  date,  hour
 48    and place of the bid opening.
 49        Each  bidder shall accompany his bid with bidder's security as provided in
 50    section 43-901, Idaho Code, in the amount of ten percent (10%) of his bid.  In
 51    case  the contract for any such work is offered to such bidder and he fails or
                                                                        
                                           17
                                                                        
  1    refuses to enter into the contract, then such security shall be  forfeited  to
  2    the  district and placed in the local improvement fund of such district. These
  3    provisions also shall appear in said notice.
  4        Award shall be made  to  the  lowest  responsible  bidder  fulfilling  the
  5    requirements.
  6        Any  contract  made  by a district for any improvements authorized by this
  7    code shall be made by the board in the name of the district upon such terms of
  8    payment as shall be fixed by the board. The contract shall  be  authorized  by
  9    resolution  empowering  the  authorized officer of the district to execute the
 10    contract. The resolution need not set out the contract in full but it shall be
 11    sufficient if the resolution refers to a copy of the contract on file  in  the
 12    office of the secretary where it is available for public inspection.
 13        Any  provision in this local improvement district for irrigation districts
 14    code notwithstanding, if any district  shall  elect  to  exercise  the  powers
 15    herein  granted jointly with another irrigation district or districts, or with
 16    any other public agency or agencies as authorized by the provisions of section
 17    67-2328, Idaho  Code,  the  improvements  as  contemplated  within  the  local
 18    improvement  district may be constructed jointly and as part of a larger proj-
 19    ect with such other agency or agencies upon the letting of a  single  contract
 20    after  compliance  with  the  required  bidding procedure for any Idaho public
 21    agency jointly participating in the work.
                                                                        
 22        SECTION 17.  That Section 50-341, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 23    repealed.
                                                                        
 24        SECTION  18.  That  Section 50-342, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 25    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 26        50-342.  ELECTRIC POWER -- PURCHASE OR DISPOSAL. In addition to the powers
 27    otherwise conferred on cities of this state, a city owning  and  operating  an
 28    electric distribution system shall have the authority to:
 29        (a)  Purchase,  or  generate,  or  both, electric power and energy for the
 30    purpose of disposing of such power and energy to the United States of America,
 31    department of energy, acting by and through the Bonneville  power  administra-
 32    tion, or its successor, through exchange, net billing or any arrangement which
 33    is used for supplying the needs of the city for electric power or energy;
 34        (b)  Enter  into  power  sales  or  power purchase contracts with entities
 35    engaged in generating, transmitting, or distributing electric power and energy
 36    to provide for the purchase, sale or exchange of electric power or energy upon
 37    such terms and conditions as shall be specified in the power sales or purchase
 38    contract; and
 39        (c)  Establish, operate and fund energy conservation or other public  pur-
 40    pose  programs for the purpose of promoting efficient use of energy and energy
 41    conservation by city consumers including, but  not  limited  to,  programs  to
 42    install  energy  efficient and energy conservation devices or measures in con-
 43    sumer buildings and structures served by the city and  to  grant  low-interest
 44    loans  to  city consumers for the installation of such measures, provided such
 45    measures are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis to all classes of customers
 46    similarly situated;
 47    and such authority shall not be subject to the requirements,  limitations,  or
 48    procedures  contained  in sections 50-325, 50-327 and 50-341 chapter 28, title
 49    67, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 50        SECTION 19.  That Section 50-344, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 51    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
                                           18
                                                                        
  1        50-344.  SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL. (1) Cities shall have the power to maintain
  2    and  operate  solid  waste  collection systems. Such maintenance and operation
  3    may, by exclusive or nonexclusive  means, be performed by:
  4        (a)  Employees, facilities, equipment and supplies engaged or acquired  by
  5        cities;
  6        (b)  Contracts,  franchises  or otherwise providing maintenance and opera-
  7        tion performed by private persons;
  8        (c)  Contracts  providing  for  maintenance  and  operation  performed  by
  9        another unit of government;
 10        (d)  Contracts, franchises or otherwise for maintenance and operation that
 11        may provide solid waste collection for all or geographic parts of a city;
 12        (e)  Any combination of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
 13        (2)  Upon a finding by the mayor or city manager for public safety or nec-
 14    essary protection of public health and welfare and property, the provisions of
 15    section 50-341 chapter 28, title 67, Idaho Code,  shall  not  apply  to  solid
 16    waste collection, as provided herein.
 17        (3)  Before  entering into such contracts, franchises or otherwise, a city
 18    may require such security for the performance thereof as it deems  appropriate
 19    or may waive such undertaking.
                                                                        
 20        SECTION  20.  That Section 50-1710, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 21    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 22        50-1710.  ORDINANCE CREATING IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND PROCEDURE  FOR  CON-
 23    STRUCTION  BIDS.  If,  after  the hearing on the creation of the district, the
 24    council finds (a) that the district will be for the best interest of the prop-
 25    erty affected and the municipality, (b) that there is  reasonable  probability
 26    that  the  obligations of such district will be paid, and (c) the value of the
 27    property within the proposed district, including the proposed improvements, is
 28    sufficient, it shall then enact an ordinance providing for  such  improvements
 29    and creating a local improvement district to be called "Local Improvement Dis-
 30    trict  No.  ......  for  ............,  Idaho," which shall include all of the
 31    property within said district in accordance with the findings of the  council,
 32    and said ordinance shall set forth the boundaries of the district, provide the
 33    improvements  which  shall be made, and state that the total cost and expenses
 34    thereof shall be assessed according to the percentage or calculation hereinbe-
 35    fore mentioned on all benefited property in the district by using  the  method
 36    of assessment contemplated in the notice of intention subject to any variation
 37    therefrom  as  a  result  of the council's determining that the benefits to be
 38    derived by certain lots or parcels of property warrant  such  variations.  The
 39    council  may either purchase, acquire or construct the improvements. The coun-
 40    cil shall appoint an engineer. If the council elects to construct the improve-
 41    ments, the engineer shall have prepared the necessary plans and specifications
 42    for the construction work ordered.
 43        Except as hereinafter otherwise provided, the council shall authorize  the
 44    advertisement  for  bids therefor by giving notice calling for sealed bids for
 45    the construction of the work. Notice of advertisement for bids shall  be  pub-
 46    lished  in the official newspaper of the municipality in three (3) consecutive
 47    weekly issues, which notice shall (a) contain a  general  description  of  the
 48    kind  and  amount  of work to be done, (b) state that the plans and specifica-
 49    tions for said work are on file in the office of the  engineer  or  clerk  for
 50    inspection and (c) state the date, hour and place of the bid opening in accor-
 51    dance with the provisions of chapter 28, title 67, Idaho Code.
 52        Each  bidder shall accompany his bid with bidder's security as provided in
 53    section 50-341, Idaho Code, in the amount of five percent (5%) of his bid.  In
                                                                        
                                           19
                                                                        
  1    case  the contract for any such work is offered to such bidder and he fails or
  2    refuses to enter into the contract, then such security shall be  forfeited  to
  3    the  municipality  and  placed in the local improvement fund of such district.
  4    These provisions also shall appear in said notice.
  5        Award shall be made  to  the  lowest  responsible  bidder  fulfilling  the
  6    requirements.
  7        Any  acquisition, purchase or construction contract made by a municipality
  8    for any improvements authorized by this code shall be made by the  council  in
  9    the  name  of the municipality upon such terms of payment as shall be fixed by
 10    the council. The contract shall be authorized  by  resolution  empowering  the
 11    authorized officer of the municipality to execute the contract. The resolution
 12    need  not set out the contract in full but it shall be sufficient if the reso-
 13    lution refers to a copy of the contract on file in the  office  of  the  clerk
 14    where it is available for public inspection.
 15        Any  provision in this local improvement district code notwithstanding, if
 16    any municipality shall elect to exercise the  powers  herein  granted  jointly
 17    with  any  other  public agency or agencies as authorized by the provisions of
 18    section 67-2328, Idaho Code, the improvements as contemplated within the local
 19    improvement district may be constructed jointly and as part of a larger  proj-
 20    ect  with  such other agency or agencies upon the letting of a single contract
 21    after compliance with the required bidding  procedure  for  any  Idaho  public
 22    agency jointly participating in the work.
                                                                        
 23        SECTION  21.  That Section 50-2006, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 24    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 25        50-2006.  URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY. (a) There is hereby created in each munic-
 26    ipality an independent public body corporate and politic to be  known  as  the
 27    "urban  renewal agency" for the municipality; provided, that such agency shall
 28    not transact any business or exercise its powers hereunder until or unless the
 29    local governing body has made the  findings  prescribed  in  section  50-2005,
 30    Idaho Code.
 31        (b)  Upon the local governing body making such findings, the urban renewal
 32    agency  is authorized to transact the business and exercise the powers hereun-
 33    der by a board of commissioners to be appointed or designated as follows:
 34        (1)  The mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the local  governing
 35        body,  shall  appoint a board of commissioners of the urban renewal agency
 36        which shall consist of not less than three (3) commissioners nor more than
 37        nine (9) commissioners. In the order of appointment, the mayor shall  des-
 38        ignate  the number of commissioners to be appointed, and the term of each,
 39        provided that the original term of office of no more than two (2)  commis-
 40        sioners  shall  expire in the same year. The commissioners shall serve for
 41        terms not to exceed five (5) years, from the date of  appointment,  except
 42        that  all  vacancies  shall  be filled for the unexpired term. For ineffi-
 43        ciency or neglect of duty or misconduct in office, a commissioner  may  be
 44        removed  only after a hearing and after he shall have been given a copy of
 45        the charges at least ten (10) days prior to such hearings and have had  an
 46        opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel.
 47        (2)  By  enactment  of  an ordinance, the local governing body may appoint
 48        and designate itself to be the board of commissioners of the urban renewal
 49        agency, in which case all the rights, powers, duties, privileges and immu-
 50        nities vested by the urban renewal law of 1965,  and  as  amended,  in  an
 51        appointed  board  of commissioners, shall be vested in the local governing
 52        body, who shall, in all respects when acting as an urban  renewal  agency,
 53        be  acting  as  an arm of state government, entirely separate and distinct
                                                                        
                                           20
                                                                        
  1        from the municipality, to achieve, perform and accomplish the public  pur-
  2        poses  prescribed  and  provided by said urban renewal law of 1965, and as
  3        amended.
  4        (3)  By enactment of an ordinance, the local governing body may terminate
  5        the appointed board of commissioners and  thereby  appoint  and  designate
  6        itself as the board of commissioners of the urban renewal agency.
  7        (c)  A  commissioner  shall  receive  no compensation for his services but
  8    shall be entitled to the necessary  expenses,  including  traveling  expenses,
  9    incurred  in  the discharge of his duties. Each commissioner shall hold office
 10    until his successor has been appointed and has qualified. A certificate of the
 11    appointment or reappointment of any commissioner shall be filed with the clerk
 12    of the municipality and such certificate shall be conclusive evidence  of  the
 13    due and proper appointment of such commissioner.
 14        The  powers  of  an urban renewal agency shall be exercised by the commis-
 15    sioners thereof. A majority of the commissioners shall constitute a quorum for
 16    the purpose of conducting business and exercising the powers of the agency and
 17    for all other purposes. Action may be taken by the agency upon  a  vote  of  a
 18    majority  of  the  commissioners  present, unless in any case the bylaws shall
 19    require a larger number.
 20        The mayor may appoint a chairman, a cochairman, or a vice chairman  for  a
 21    term  of  office  of one (1) year from among the commissioners, thereafter the
 22    commissioners shall elect the chairman, cochairman or vice chairman for a term
 23    of one (1) year from among their members. An agency may  employ  an  executive
 24    director, technical experts and such other agents and employees, permanent and
 25    temporary,  as  it may require, and determine their qualifications, duties and
 26    compensation. For such legal service as it may require, an agency  may  employ
 27    or  retain  its  own counsel and legal staff. An agency authorized to transact
 28    business and exercise powers under this act chapter shall file, with the local
 29    governing body, on or before March 31 of each year a report of its  activities
 30    for  the preceding calendar year, which report shall include a complete finan-
 31    cial statement setting forth its assets,  liabilities,  income  and  operating
 32    expense as of the end of such calendar year. At the time of filing the report,
 33    the  agency  shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the commu-
 34    nity a notice to the effect that such report has been filed with  the  munici-
 35    pality  and  that the report is available for inspection during business hours
 36    in the office of the city clerk or county recorder and in the  office  of  the
 37    agency.
 38        (d)  An  urban renewal agency shall have the same fiscal year as a munici-
 39    pality and shall be subject to the same audit requirements as a  municipality.
 40    An  urban  renewal agency shall be required to prepare and file with its local
 41    governing body an annual financial report and shall prepare, approve and adopt
 42    an annual budget for filing with the local governing body,  for  informational
 43    purposes.  A  budget means an annual estimate of revenues and expenses for the
 44    following fiscal year of the agency.
 45        (e)  An urban renewal agency shall comply with the public records law pur-
 46    suant to chapter 3, title 9, Idaho Code, open meetings law pursuant to chapter
 47    23, title 67, Idaho Code, the ethics in government law pursuant to chapter  7,
 48    title 59, Idaho Code, and the competitive bidding provisions of section 50-341
 49    chapter 28, title 67, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 50        SECTION  22.  That Section 50-2620, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 51    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 52        50-2620.  BIDS REQUIRED -- MONETARY AMOUNT. Any city  authorized  by  this
 53    chapter  to  establish a business improvement district shall call for competi-
                                                                        
                                           21
                                                                        
  1    tive bids by appropriate public notice and award contracts, whenever the esti-
  2    mated cost of such work or improvement, including cost of materials,  supplies
  3    and  equipment, exceeds the sum of five thousand  dollars ($5,000) conduct its
  4    purchasing activities in accordance with the provisions of chapter  28,  title
  5    67, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
  6        SECTION  23.  That Section 50-2621, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  7    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
  8        50-2621.  COMPUTING COST OF IMPROVEMENT FOR BID REQUIREMENT. The  cost  of
  9    the  improvement  for  the  purposes of this chapter shall be aggregate of all
 10    amounts to be paid for the labor, materials and equipment on one (1)  continu-
 11    ous or interrelated project where work is to be performed simultaneously or in
 12    near  sequence.  Breaking  an improvement into small units for the purposes of
 13    avoiding the minimum dollar amount prescribed in section 50-2620  chapter  28,
 14    title 67, Idaho Code, is contrary to public policy and is prohibited.
                                                                        
 15        SECTION  24.  That Section 54-1901, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 16    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 17        54-1901.  LEGISLATIVE INTENT -- DEFINITIONS.  (1)  The  legislature  finds
 18    that it is in the best interests of the people of the state of Idaho to estab-
 19    lish  a  process  for licensure of public works contractors to be administered
 20    through the public works contractors license board. To assure that experienced
 21    and qualified contractors provide services to public entities  in  Idaho,  the
 22    board is charged with licensing as provided in this chapter. Effective licens-
 23    ing  procedures  should  assure that contractors of integrity provide work for
 24    which they have specific experience and expertise and that  public  facilities
 25    are  constructed  and rebuilt by efficient and cost-effective means. Licensing
 26    should also protect the public health and safety through judicious exercise of
 27    investigative, disciplinary and enforcement activities.
 28        (2)  For the interpretation of this chapter, unless the context  indicates
 29    a different meaning:
 30        (a)  "Person"  includes  any individual, firm, copartnership, corporation,
 31        limited liability company, limited liability partnership,  association  or
 32        other organization, or any combination thereof acting as a unit.
 33        (b)  "Public  works  contractor,"  which  term is synonymous with the term
 34        "builder," "subcontractor" and "specialty contractor," and in this chapter
 35        referred to as "contractor" or "licensee," includes any person who, in any
 36        capacity, undertakes, or offers to undertake,  or  purports  to  have  the
 37        capacity  to  undertake  any construction, repair or reconstruction of any
 38        public work, or submits a proposal to, or enters into a contract with, the
 39        state of Idaho, or any county, city, school district, sewer district, fire
 40        district, or any other taxing subdivision or district  of  any  public  or
 41        quasi-public  corporation  of  the  state, or with any agency, or with any
 42        other public board, body, commission, department or agency, or officer  or
 43        representative  thereof, authorized to let or award contracts for the con-
 44        struction, repair or reconstruction of any public work.
 45        (c)  "Public works construction" includes any  or  all  of  the  following
 46        branches:
 47             (1i)  Heavy  construction,  which is defined as constructing substan-
 48             tially in its entirety any fixed works and structures (not  including
 49             "building  construction"),  without limitation, for any or all of the
 50             following divisions of subjects:  irrigation,  drainage,  sanitation,
 51             sewage,  water power, water supply, reservoirs, flood control, recla-
                                                                        
                                           22
                                                                        
  1             mation, inland waterways, railroads, grade separations, track  eleva-
  2             tion,   elevated  highways,  hydroelectric  developments,  aqueducts,
  3             transmission lines, duct lines, pipelines, locks, dams, dykes  dikes,
  4             levees,  revetments,  channels,  channel  cutoffs, intakes, drainage,
  5             excavation and disposal of earth and rocks, foundations, piers, abut-
  6             ments, retaining walls,  viaducts,  shafts,  tunnels,  airports,  air
  7             bases and airways, and other facilities incidental to the same;
  8             (2ii)  Highway construction, which is defined as all work included in
  9             highway  construction contracts, including, without limitation, high-
 10             ways, roads, streets, bridges, tunnels,  sewer  and  street  grading,
 11             street  paving,  curb  setting,  surfacing and other facilities inci-
 12             dental to any of the same;
 13             (3iii)  Building construction, which is defined as all work  in  con-
 14             nection  with  any  structure  now  built,  being built, or hereafter
 15             built, for the support, shelter and inclosure enclosure  of  persons,
 16             chattels, personal and movable property of any kind, requiring in its
 17             construction  the  use of more than two (2) unrelated building trades
 18             or crafts.
 19             (4iv)  Specialty construction, which is defined as any work  in  con-
 20             nection  with  any public works construction, requiring special skill
 21             and the use of specially skilled trades or crafts.
 22        (d)  "Board" means the board created by this chapter  under  the  name  of
 23        "public works contractors license board."
 24        (e)  "Administrator"  means  the administrator of the division of building
 25        safety.
 26        (f)  "Year" means the fiscal year ending June 30, each year.
 27        (g)  "Federal aid funds" means a direct grant in aid, matching  funds,  or
 28        loan  from  an  agency of the federal government and designated for a spe-
 29        cific public works project. Revenue sharing funds, federal  impact  funds,
 30        timber  stumpage  fees,  and similar indirect allowances and subsidies not
 31        designated for a specific public works project shall not  be  regarded  as
 32        "federal aid funds" within the meaning of this section.
 33        (h)  "Government  obligation" means a public debt obligation of the United
 34        States government or the state of Idaho and an obligation whose  principal
 35        and interest is unconditionally guaranteed by the United States government
 36        or the state of Idaho.
 37        (i)  "Public entity" means the state of Idaho, or any county, city, school
 38        district,  sewer  district, fire district, or any other taxing subdivision
 39        or district of any public or quasi-public corporation of the state, or any
 40        agency thereof, or with any other public board, body, commission,  depart-
 41        ment or agency, or officer or representative thereof.
 42        (j)  "Bid" or "bidder" means any proposal submitted by a public works con-
 43        tractor  to  a  public entity in competitive bidding for the construction,
 44        alteration, repair or improvement of any public works construction.
                                                                        
 45        SECTION 25.  That Section 54-1903, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 46    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 47        54-1903.  EXEMPTIONS. This act chapter shall not apply to:
 48        (a)  An  authorized  representative  of  the United States government, the
 49    state of Idaho, or any incorporated town, city, county,  irrigation  district,
 50    reclamation  district  or other municipal or political corporation or subdivi-
 51    sion of this state.
 52        (b)  Officers of a court when they are acting within the  scope  of  their
 53    office.
                                                                        
                                           23
                                                                        
  1        (c)  Public utilities operating under the jurisdiction of the public util-
  2    ities commission of the state of Idaho on construction, maintenance and devel-
  3    opment work incidental to their own business.
  4        (d)  The sale or installation of any finished products, materials or arti-
  5    cles  of merchandise, which are not actually fabricated into and do not become
  6    a permanent fixed part of the structure.
  7        (e)  Any construction, alteration, improvement or repair of personal prop-
  8    erty.
  9        (f)  Any construction, alteration, improvement or repair carried on within
 10    the limits and boundaries of any site or reservation, the title of which rests
 11    in the federal government.
 12        (g)  Any construction or operation  incidental  to  the  construction  and
 13    repair  of irrigation and drainage ditches of regularly constituted irrigation
 14    districts, drainage districts or reclamation districts, except when  performed
 15    by a person required to be licensed under this act chapter.
 16        (h)  Duly  licensed  architects,  civil  licensed engineers, and land sur-
 17    veyors when acting solely in their professional capacity.
 18        (i)  Any construction, alteration, improvement  or  repair  involving  any
 19    single project involving any number of trades or crafts with an estimated cost
 20    of  less  than  ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or a project estimated to cost
 21    less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for which no  responsive  statement
 22    of  interest  was received from a licensed public works contractor when state-
 23    ments of interest were solicited as provided in section 67-2805, Idaho Code.
 24        (j)  Any construction, operation, alteration or  maintenance  of  a  solid
 25    waste disposal site including those operated by, for, or at the direction of a
 26    city or a county.
 27        (k)  Any  construction,  operation  or repair carried on in response to an
 28    emergency that has been officially declared by the governor  pursuant  to  the
 29    provisions  of chapter 10, title 46, Idaho Code, or an emergency that has been
 30    declared by a governing body (city or county) in anticipation of a  governor's
 31    declaration, for a period of time not to exceed seven (7) calendar days.
                                                                        
 32        SECTION 26.  That Section 54-1904A, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 33    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 34        54-1904A.  FILING  OF  NOTICES AND INCOME TAX RETURNS -- PAYMENT OF INCOME
 35    TAXES BY CONTRACTORS. Within thirty (30) days after any public works  contrac-
 36    tor who is required to be licensed pursuant to this chapter has been awarded a
 37    contract  for construction to be performed within the state of Idaho involving
 38    the expenditure of any public moneys, the contract awarding agency prime  con-
 39    tractor shall file with the tax commission a signed statement showing the date
 40    on  which  such  contract  was made or awarded, the names and addresses of the
 41    home offices of the contracting parties,  including  all  subcontractors,  the
 42    state of incorporation if the party is a corporation, the project number and a
 43    general  description of the type and location of the work to be performed, the
 44    amount of the prime contract and all  subcontracts,  and  all  other  relevant
 45    information  which may be required on forms which may be prescribed by the tax
 46    commission with a copy to be sent to the administrator.  Every  contractor  or
 47    subcontractor  whose name appears on any such notice shall be required to file
 48    income tax returns with the state tax commission and to pay all  income  taxes
 49    which  may  be  due  thereon pursuant to law for all years in which any public
 50    moneys were received by him in connection with any construction work which was
 51    performed within the state of Idaho.
                                                                        
                                           24
                                                                        
  1        SECTION 27.  That Section 54-1913, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
  2    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
  3        54-1913.  RECORDS,  LISTS  AND  INFORMATION. The administrator shall main-
  4    tain, open to public inspection during office hours, a complete record of  all
  5    retained  applications,  licenses  issued,  licenses  renewed,  data collected
  6    through the provisions of section 54-1904A, Idaho Code, and  all  revocations,
  7    cancellations  and suspensions of licenses, and shall furnish a certified copy
  8    of any license issued, upon receipt of the sum of  fifty  cents  (50¢),  which
  9    certified  copy  shall  be received in all courts and elsewhere as evidence of
 10    the facts stated therein.
 11        Whenever funds are available for the purpose, the administrator shall pub-
 12    lish a list of the names and addresses  of  contractors  licensed  under  this
 13    chapter  and  such  further  information  with respect to this chapter and its
 14    administration as the administrator deems proper. The administrator  may  fur-
 15    nish the lists to such public works and building departments, public officials
 16    or  public bodies, and other persons interested in or allied with the building
 17    and construction industry in this or any other state as deemed advisable,  and
 18    at  such intervals as deemed necessary, whenever funds therefor are available.
 19    Copies of the lists may also be furnished by the administrator upon request to
 20    any firm or individual upon payment of a reasonable fee fixed by the board.
 21        Whenever funds are available for the purpose, the administrator  may  pub-
 22    lish  and  disseminate  to  licensees and to public officials or other persons
 23    interested in or allied with the  building  and  construction  industry,  such
 24    information  with relation to the administration and enforcement of this chap-
 25    ter as deemed necessary to carry out its purposes.
                                                                        
 26        SECTION 28.  That Section 54-1914, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 27    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 28        54-1914.  DISCIPLINARY  ADMINISTRATIVE  ENFORCEMENT  PROCEEDINGS.  (1) The
 29    administrator may upon his own motion or at the direction of  the  board,  and
 30    shall  upon  the  verified complaint in writing of any person, investigate the
 31    actions of any public works contractor within the state and may  undertake  to
 32    reclassify,  retype,  place  on  probation,  defer  or precondition licensure,
 33    impose an administrative fine not  to  exceed  five  twenty  thousand  dollars
 34    ($520,000)  per  violation,  impose  the  administrative costs of bringing the
 35    action including, but not limited to, hearing  officer  fees,  expert  witness
 36    fees,  attorney's fees,  costs of hearing  transcripts and copies, temporarily
 37    suspend or permanently revoke any license if the holder, while a  licensee  or
 38    applicant  hereunder,  is guilty of or commits any one (1) or more of the fol-
 39    lowing acts or omissions:
 40        (a)  Abandonment without legal excuse of any construction project or oper-
 41        ation engaged in or undertaken by the licensee as a contractor.
 42        (b)  Diversion of funds or property received under express  agreement  for
 43        prosecution or completion of a specific construction project or operation,
 44        or  for  a  specified purpose in the prosecution or completion of any con-
 45        struction project or operation, and their application or use for any other
 46        construction project or operation, obligation or purpose, with  intent  to
 47        defraud or deceive creditors or the owner.
 48        (c)  Willful  departure  from  or disregard of, plans or specifications in
 49        any material respect, and prejudicial to another, without consent  of  the
 50        owner  or  his  duly authorized representative, and without the consent of
 51        the person entitled to have the particular construction project or  opera-
 52        tion completed in accordance with such plans and specifications.
                                                                        
                                           25
                                                                        
  1        (d)  Willful  or deliberate disregard and violation of valid building laws
  2        of the state, or of any political subdivision thereof, or  of  the  safety
  3        laws or labor laws or compensation insurance laws of the state.
  4        (e)  Misrepresentation  of  a material fact by an applicant in obtaining a
  5        license.
  6        (f)  Aiding or abetting an unlicensed person to evade  the  provisions  of
  7        this  chapter  or  conspiring with an unlicensed person, or allowing one's
  8        license to be used by an unlicensed person, or acting as agent or  partner
  9        or  associate  or  otherwise,  of  an unlicensed person with the intent to
 10        evade the provisions of this chapter.
 11        (g)  Failure in any material respect to comply with the provisions of this
 12        chapter.
 13        (h)  Acting in the capacity of a contractor under any license issued here-
 14        under except: (1) in the name of  the  licensee  as  set  forth  upon  the
 15        license,  or  (2)  in accordance with the personnel of the licensee as set
 16        forth in the application for such license, or as later changed as provided
 17        in this chapter.
 18        (i)  Knowingly accepting a bid from, or  entering  into  a  contract  with
 19        another contractor for a portion of a public works project if at that time
 20        such  contractor  does not possess the appropriate license to do that work
 21        as provided in this chapter.
 22        (j)  Willful failure or refusal without legal excuse  on  the  part  of  a
 23        licensee  as  a  contractor  to finish a construction project or operation
 24        with reasonable diligence, causing material injury to another.
 25        (k)  Willful or deliberate failure by any licensee, or  agent  or  officer
 26        thereof,  to  pay  any moneys when due, for any materials or services ren-
 27        dered in connection with  his operations as a contractor, when he has  the
 28        capacity  to pay or when he has received sufficient funds therefor as pay-
 29        ment for the particular construction work, project or operation for  which
 30        the  services  or  materials  were rendered or purchased; or denial of any
 31        such amount due or the validity of the claim thereof with intent to secure
 32        for himself, his employer, or other person, any discount upon such indebt-
 33        edness or with intent to hinder, delay or defraud the person to whom  such
 34        indebtedness is due.
 35        (l)  Suffers  a  change  in  financial  circumstances which may impair the
 36        licensee's financial responsibility.
 37        (m)  Holding oneself or one's firm out as a  public  works  contractor  by
 38        engaging  in any act meeting the definition or character of a public works
 39        contractor as defined herein without a legally required license.
 40        (2)  The administrator may upon his own motion or at the direction of  the
 41    board, and shall upon the verified complaint in writing of any licensed public
 42    works contractor eligible to perform public works contracting duties, investi-
 43    gate  the  actions  of  any  public  entity within the state and may impose an
 44    administrative fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation
 45    or impose the administrative costs of bringing the action including,  but  not
 46    limited  to, hearing officer fees, expert witness fees, attorney's fees, costs
 47    of hearing transcripts and copies, if the public agency contracts  for  public
 48    works construction with an unlicensed or improperly licensed contractor.
                                                                        
 49        SECTION  29.  That Section 54-1915, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 50    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 51        54-1915.  PROCEDURE FOR IMPOSITION OF DISCIPLINE. (1)  Upon the filing  of
 52    a  verified  complaint  with  the  administrator charging a licensee or public
 53    entity with the commission of any act constituting a  cause  for  disciplinary
                                                                        
                                           26
                                                                        
  1    action  within two (2) years prior to the date of filing, or upon such a find-
  2    ing made by the administrator following an  investigation,  the  administrator
  3    shall  forthwith  issue  a  notice,  accompanied  by  a copy of the complaint,
  4    directing the licensee or public entity, within ten (10) days after service of
  5    the notice, to appear by filing with the administrator a  verified  answer  to
  6    the complaint.
  7        (2)  The  administrator  shall  have  the power to appoint, by an order in
  8    writing, a hearing officer to take testimony, who shall have power to adminis-
  9    ter oaths, issue subpoenas and compel the attendance of witnesses.
 10        (3)  Service of the notice and  complaint  upon  the  licensee  or  public
 11    entity  shall  be fully effected by mailing a true copy of the notice and com-
 12    plaint by certified mail addressed to the licensee  at  his  last  address  of
 13    record  with  the administrator or to the public entity at its principal place
 14    of business. Service of the notice and complaint shall be complete at the time
 15    of deposit in accordance with the provisions of the Idaho rules of civil  pro-
 16    cedure relating to service by mail.
 17        (4)  The  hearing  shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of
 18    chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code, and the Idaho rules of administrative proce-
 19    dure.
 20        (5)  Following the hearing, the hearing officer  shall  issue  recommended
 21    findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order. The recommended order may:
 22        (a)  Provide  for the immediate complete suspension by the licensee of all
 23        operations as a contractor during the period fixed by the decision.
 24        (b)  Permit the licensee to complete any or all contracts shown by  compe-
 25        tent evidence taken at the hearing to be then uncompleted.
 26        (c)  Impose  upon the licensee compliance with such specific conditions as
 27        may be just in connection with his operations as a contractor disclosed at
 28        the hearing and may further provide that until such  conditions  are  com-
 29        plied  with  no  application  for  restoration of the suspended or revoked
 30        license shall be accepted by the administrator.
 31        (d)  Provide for the imposition of any of the sanctions provided  by  sec-
 32        tion 54-1914, Idaho Code.
 33        (6)  Following  a  review  of the entire hearing record, the administrator
 34    shall issue a final decision.
                                                                        
 35        SECTION 30.  That Section 54-1916, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 36    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 37        54-1916.  JUDICIAL REVIEW -- APPEALS PROCEDURE. (1)  The applicant, public
 38    entity,  or  licensee,  as  the  case may be, shall have the right to judicial
 39    review of an action of the administrator refusing issuance of  a  license,  or
 40    actions  taken by the board pursuant to section 54-1914, Idaho Code, in accor-
 41    dance with the provisions of chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code.
 42        (2)  Appeals may be taken from the judgment of said district court to  the
 43    supreme  court  of  Idaho  by either party in the same manner that appeals are
 44    taken and records prepared on appeal in civil actions.
 45        (3)  On any appeal to the district court by a licensee, the court may,  in
 46    its  discretion, upon the filing of a proper bond by the licensee in an amount
 47    to be fixed by the court, but not less than  one  thousand  dollars  ($1,000),
 48    guaranteeing  the  compliance by the licensee with specific conditions imposed
 49    upon him by the board's decision, if any, permit the licensee to  continue  to
 50    do business as a contractor pending entry of judgment by the district court.
 51        (4)  On  any  appeal  to  the district court by a public entity, the court
 52    may, in its discretion, suspend the action taken by the board pursuant to sec-
 53    tion 54-1914, Idaho Code, pending entry of judgment by the district court.
                                                                        
                                           27
                                                                        
  1        SECTION 31.  That Section 54-1926, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
  2    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
  3        54-1926.  PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS REQUIRED OF CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC
  4    BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC WORKS OF THE STATE, POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS AND OTHER PUB-
  5    LIC  INSTRUMENTALITIES  -- REQUIREMENTS FOR BONDS -- GOVERNMENTAL OBLIGATIONS.
  6    Before any contract for the construction, alteration, or repair of any  public
  7    building  or  public  work  or  improvement  of  the state of Idaho, or of any
  8    county, city, town, municipal corporation, township, school  district,  public
  9    educational  institution, or other political subdivision, public authority, or
 10    public instrumentality, or of any officer, board, commission, institution,  or
 11    agency  of  the  foregoing,  is awarded to any person, he shall furnish to the
 12    state of Idaho, or to such county, city, town,  municipal  corporation,  town-
 13    ship, school district, public educational institution, or other political sub-
 14    division,  public  authority,  or  public instrumentality, or to such officer,
 15    board, commission, institution, or agency thereof, bonds  which  shall  become
 16    binding upon the award of the contract to such person, who is hereinafter des-
 17    ignated as "contractor":
 18        (1)  A performance bond in any amount to be fixed by the contracting body,
 19    but  in  no  event  less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the contract amount
 20    conditioned upon the faithful performance of the contract in  accordance  with
 21    the  plans,  specifications  and conditions thereof. Said bond shall be solely
 22    for the protection of the public body awarding the contract.
 23        (2)  A payment bond in an amount to be fixed by the contracting  body  but
 24    in no event less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the contract amount, solely
 25    for  the protection of persons supplying labor or materials, or renting, leas-
 26    ing, or otherwise supplying equipment to the contractor or his  subcontractors
 27    in the prosecution of the work provided for in such contract.
 28        (3)  Public  bodies requiring a performance bond or payment bond in excess
 29    of fifty percent (50%) of the total contract amount shall not be authorized to
 30    withhold from the contractor or subcontractor any amount exceeding  five  per-
 31    cent  (5%)  of the total amount payable as retainage. Further, the public body
 32    shall release to the contractor any retainage for those portions of the  proj-
 33    ect  accepted  by  the contracting public body and the contractors as complete
 34    within thirty (30) days after such acceptance. Contractors,  contracting  with
 35    subcontractors  pursuant  to  contract  work  with a public body, shall not be
 36    authorized to withhold from the subcontractor any amount exceeding  five  per-
 37    cent  (5%)  of the total amount payable to the subcontractor as retainage. The
 38    contractor shall remit the retainage to the subcontractor within  thirty  (30)
 39    days after completion of the subcontract.
 40        Each  bond  shall be executed by a surety company or companies duly autho-
 41    rized to do business in this state, or the contractor may deposit any  of  the
 42    type of government obligations listed in subsection (2)(h) of section 54-1901,
 43    Idaho Code, in lieu of furnishing a surety company performance or payment bond
 44    or  bonds.  In the case of contracts of the state or a department, board, com-
 45    mission, institution, or agency thereof the aforesaid bonds shall  be  payable
 46    to  the  state,  or  particular  state agency where authorized. In case of all
 47    other contracts subject to this act chapter, the bonds shall be payable to the
 48    public body concerned.
 49        Said bonds shall be filed in the office of the department, board,  commis-
 50    sion, institution, agency or other contracting body awarding the contract.
 51        Nothing  in  this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the
 52    state of Idaho or other public body hereinabove mentioned to require a perfor-
 53    mance bond or other security in addition to these, or in cases other than  the
 54    cases specified in this act chapter.
                                                                        
                                           28
                                                                        
  1        It  shall  be illegal for the invitation for bids, or any person acting or
  2    purporting to act, on behalf of the contracting  body  to  require  that  such
  3    bonds  be  furnished  by  a particular surety company, or through a particular
  4    agent or broker.
                                                                        
  5        SECTION 32.  That Section 54-1926A, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  6    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
  7        54-1926A.  USE OF GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS INSTEAD OF SURETY BONDS. (a) If a
  8    person is required under a law of the state of Idaho to give  a  surety  bond,
  9    the  person  may give a government obligation, as defined in subsection (2)(h)
 10    of section 54-1901, Idaho Code. The government obligation shall:
 11        (1)  Be given to the official having authority to approve the surety bond,
 12        or its authorized custodian;
 13        (2)  Be in an amount equal at fair market value to the penal  sum  of  the
 14        required surety bond; and
 15        (3)  Authorize  the  official  receiving the obligation to collect or sell
 16        the obligation if the person defaults on a required condition.
 17        (b)  (1) An official receiving a government  obligation  under  subsection
 18        (a) of this section may deposit it with:
 19             1.  The state treasurer;
 20             2.  A national or state chartered bank; or
 21             3.  A depository designated by the state treasurer.
 22        (2)  The  state  treasurer,  bank, or depository shall issue a safekeeping
 23        receipt that describes the obligation deposited.
 24        (c)  Using a government obligation instead of a surety bond  for  security
 25    is the same as using:
 26        (1)  A corporate surety bond;
 27        (2)  A certified check;
 28        (3)  A bank draft;
 29        (4)  A post office money order; or
 30        (5)  Cash.
 31        (d)  When  security  is  no longer required, a government obligation given
 32    instead of a surety bond shall be returned to the person  giving  the  obliga-
 33    tion. If a person supplying labor or material to a contractor defaulting under
 34    the  public  contracts bond act, sections 54-1925 through 54-1930, Idaho Code,
 35    files with the contracting body the application and affidavit  provided  under
 36    section 54-1927, Idaho Code, the contracting body:
 37        (1)  May return to the contractor the government obligation given as secu-
 38        rity  or proceeds of the government obligation given under the public con-
 39        tracts bond act, sections 54-1925 through 54-1930, Idaho Code, only  after
 40        the  ninety  (90)  day  period  for  bringing a civil action under section
 41        54-1927, Idaho Code;
 42        (2)  Shall hold the government obligation or the proceeds subject  to  the
 43        order  of the court having jurisdiction of the action if a civil action is
 44        brought in the ninety (90) day period.
 45        (e)  The provisions of this section do not affect the:
 46        (1)  Priority of a claim of the  contracting  body  against  a  government
 47        obligation given under this section;
 48        (2)  Right  or remedy of the contracting body for default on an obligation
 49        provided under this section;
 50        (3)  Authority of a court over a government obligation given  as  security
 51        in a civil action; and
 52        (4)  Authority  of an official of the state of Idaho authorized by another
 53        law to receive a government obligation as security.
                                                                        
                                           29
                                                                        
  1        (f)  To avoid frequent substitution of government obligations,  the  state
  2    treasurer may promulgate rules and regulations limiting the effect of the pro-
  3    visions of this section, to a government obligation maturing more than one (1)
  4    year after the date the obligation is given as security.
                                                                        
  5        SECTION  33.  That Section 54-4503, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  6    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
  7        54-4503.  DEFINITIONS. As used in this chapter:
  8        (1)  "Applicant" means an individual who applies for a license or  interim
  9    license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
 10        (2)  "Board" means the public works contractors state license board estab-
 11    lished in section 54-1905, Idaho Code.
 12        (3)  "Construction  manager" means an individual who performs construction
 13    management services.
 14        (4)  "Construction management services" means representation of  an  owner
 15    in public works construction, as defined in section 54-1901(2)(c), Idaho Code,
 16    by a person with substantial discretion and authority to plan including sched-
 17    uling, estimating and approval, coordinate, manage or direct phases of a proj-
 18    ect  for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair or reconstruction of
 19    any public work. This definition shall not include  general  contracting  ser-
 20    vices  provided  by  public works contractors who actually perform the work of
 21    construction, alteration, repair or reconstruction. This definition shall  not
 22    include  services  for  which  the  laws  of this state require a person to be
 23    licensed as an architect or registered as a professional engineer,  nor  shall
 24    it  include services traditionally and customarily provided by licensed archi-
 25    tects or registered professional engineers.
 26        (5)  "Firm" means any business organization, including individuals,  part-
 27    nerships,  corporations,  associations  or any combination thereof acting as a
 28    unit.
 29        (6)  "Licensure" means the issuance of a license to an applicant under the
 30    provisions of this chapter authorizing such individual to  offer  and  perform
 31    construction management services.
 32        (7)  "Person"  includes  an individual, partnership, corporation, associa-
 33    tion or other organization.
                                                                        
 34        SECTION 34.  That Section 54-4508, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 35    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 36        54-4508.  DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS. (1) The board shall have the authority
 37    to  deny  or  refuse  to renew a license or certificate of authority, defer or
 38    precondition licensure, suspend or revoke a license, impose an  administrative
 39    fine  not  to  exceed  five  twenty thousand dollars ($520,000) per violation,
 40    impose the administrative costs  of  bringing  the  action  before  the  board
 41    including,  but  not  limited  to,  hearing officer fees, expert witness fees,
 42    attorney's fees, costs of hearing transcripts and copies, or impose probation-
 43    ary conditions on the holder of a license or certificate  of  authority,  upon
 44    the following grounds:
 45        (a)  Fraud  or deception in the procurement of a license or certificate of
 46        authority or in the taking of an examination required under the provisions
 47        of this chapter;
 48        (b)  Incompetence in the performance of a construction manager's duties;
 49        (c)  Holding oneself or one's firm out as a construction manager by engag-
 50        ing in any act meeting the definition or character of a construction  man-
 51        ager as defined herein without a legally required license;
                                                                        
                                           30
                                                                        
  1        (d)  Fraud  or  deceit  in  the  performance  of  a construction manager's
  2        duties; or
  3        (de)  Willful violation of the provisions of this  chapter  or  the  rules
  4        promulgated by the board.
  5        (2)  Proceedings  which  may  result  in the suspension or revocation of a
  6    license or certificate of authority, or  the  imposition  of  probationary  or
  7    other  disciplinary  conditions  on  the holder of a license or certificate of
  8    authority, shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 52,
  9    title 67, Idaho Code; provided however, that the suspension of  a  certificate
 10    of  authority,  upon the notification by its holder that the construction man-
 11    ager it has designated to the board no longer is a principal  or  employee  of
 12    the  firm, shall not be required to be conducted in accordance with the provi-
 13    sions of chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code.
 14        (3)  The board may, by rule, provide for the reinstatement of suspended or
 15    revoked licenses upon such terms as it may impose.
                                                                        
 16        SECTION 35.  That Section 59-1026, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 17    repealed.
                                                                        
 18        SECTION  36.  That  Chapter  10, Title 59, Idaho Code, be, and the same is
 19    hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and  des-
 20    ignated as Section 59-1026, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:
                                                                        
 21        59-1026.  WILLFUL  AND  KNOWING  AVOIDANCE OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND PRO-
 22    CUREMENT STATUTES -- CIVIL PENALTIES. It is a violation of this section for an
 23    official of any political subdivision or the  state  itself  to  willfully  or
 24    knowingly avoid compliance with procurement or competitive bidding statutes or
 25    to  willfully  or  knowingly split or separate purchases or work projects with
 26    the intent of avoiding compliance  with  such  statutes.  If  any  officer  or
 27    employee  of  any  public entity willfully or knowingly violates this section,
 28    the public entity which the officer or employee serves  shall  be  liable  for
 29    civil penalties not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each offense,
 30    such  civil  penalty to be payable to the office of the public agency bringing
 31    an enforcement action, upon court order, to reimburse the  reasonable  expense
 32    of enforcing compliance with competitive bidding and procurement statutes.
                                                                        
 33        SECTION 37.  That Title 67, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended
 34    by  the addition thereto of a NEW CHAPTER, to be known and designated as Chap-
 35    ter 28, Title 67, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:
                                                                        
 36                                      CHAPTER 28
 37                         PURCHASING BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS
                                                                        
 38        67-2801.  LEGISLATIVE INTENT. Efficient and cost-effective procurement  of
 39    goods,  services and public works construction is an important aspect of local
 40    government operations. Local public agencies should  endeavor  to  buy  goods,
 41    services  and public works construction by way of a publicly accountable proc-
 42    ess that respects the shared goals of economy and quality. Political  subdivi-
 43    sions  of the state shall endeavor to purchase goods and services from vendors
 44    with a significant Idaho economic presence.
                                                                        
 45        67-2802.  APPLICABILITY. The provisions of this chapter establish procure-
 46    ment requirements for all political subdivisions of the state  of  Idaho.  The
 47    public  works construction procurement process set forth in this chapter shall
 48    function in a complementary manner with the public works  contractors  license
                                                                        
                                           31
                                                                        
  1    board and the procedures which that board administers. Any general procurement
  2    procedures  set  forth in this chapter shall be supplemented by the provisions
  3    of any specific statute pertaining to the awarding of  any  contract  for  the
  4    purchase  or  acquisition  of  any  service, commodity or thing made expressly
  5    applicable to any particular political subdivision or by means  of  any  addi-
  6    tional  administrative  process  that otherwise establishes additional express
  7    requirements. No provisions of this chapter shall be deemed  to  preclude  the
  8    use of procurement procedures otherwise authorized by law.
                                                                        
  9        67-2803.  EXCLUSIONS.  The  procurement  requirements  established in this
 10    chapter shall not be applicable to:
 11        (1)  The acquisition of personal property when the procurement  duplicates
 12    the price and substance of a contract for like goods or services that has been
 13    competitively  bid  by  the  state of Idaho, one (1) of its political subdivi-
 14    sions, or an agency of the federal government;
 15        (2)  Contracts or purchases wherein expenditures are less than twenty-five
 16    thousand dollars ($25,000), provided such  contracts  or  purchases  shall  be
 17    guided  by the best interests of the political subdivision procuring the goods
 18    and services as determined by the governing board;
 19        (3)  Disbursement of wages or compensation to any  employee,  official  or
 20    agent  of a political subdivision for the performance of personal services for
 21    the political subdivision;
 22        (4)  Procurement of personal or professional services to be  performed  by
 23    an independent contractor for the political subdivision;
 24        (5)  Procurement of an interest in real property;
 25        (6)  Procurement of insurance; or
 26        (7)  Costs  of  participation in a joint powers agreement with other units
 27    of government.
                                                                        
 28        67-2804.  WAIVER. (1) Whenever the provisions of this  chapter  require  a
 29    public  works  contractor's license to bid upon a public construction project,
 30    such requirement shall be deemed waived whenever federal law prohibits requir-
 31    ing licensure as a precondition for submitting a bid.
 32        (2)  Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit a political  sub-
 33    division  from  performing  construction  or  repair  work  on  the  political
 34    subdivision's own facilities.
 35        (3)  Whenever  this  chapter provides time limits for objection or appeal,
 36    any objection or appeal not perfected within such time  limitations  shall  be
 37    deemed  to constitute a waiver of any rights to raise such objection or appeal
 38    thereafter.
                                                                        
 39        67-2805.  PROCUREMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION. (1)  For  any  contem-
 40    plated  public works construction project with an estimated total cost of less
 41    than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), where the political subdivision  deter-
 42    mines  that there may be a lack of available licensed contractors, a political
 43    subdivision may publish a notice of intent to procure in  its  official  news-
 44    paper,  concurrently  sending  such  notice  to  the  public works contractors
 45    license board, in order to solicit statements of interest from licensed public
 46    works contractors to determine whether one (1) or more licensed contractors is
 47    interested in submitting bids. Such notice of intent to procure shall be  pro-
 48    vided  by  the  same  means required for published solicitation of competitive
 49    bids and shall contain essentially the  same  information  as  such  published
 50    notice.  If  no licensed public works contractor submits a statement of inter-
 51    est, the political subdivision may purchase  public  works  construction  from
 52    other  than  a  licensed public works contractor by using the same procurement
                                                                        
                                           32
                                                                        
  1    procedures otherwise specified herein.
  2        (2)  When a political subdivision contemplates an expenditure  to  procure
  3    public  works  construction  valued  in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars
  4    ($25,000) but not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the  pro-
  5    curement procedures of this subsection (2) shall apply:
  6        (a)  The  solicitation  for  bids  for the public works construction to be
  7        performed shall be supplied to no fewer than  three  (3)  owner-designated
  8        licensed  public  works contractors by written means, either by electronic
  9        or physical delivery. The solicitation  shall  describe  the  construction
 10        work  to  be completed in sufficient detail to allow an experienced public
 11        works contractor to understand the construction project the political sub-
 12        division seeks to build.
 13        (b)  The solicitation for bids shall describe the electronic  or  physical
 14        delivery  method  or methods authorized to submit a bid, the date and time
 15        by which a bid proposal must be received by the clerk, secretary or  other
 16        authorized official of the political subdivision, and shall provide a rea-
 17        sonable  time  to respond to the solicitation, provided that except in the
 18        event of an emergency, such time shall not be less than three (3) business
 19        days.
 20        (c)  Written objections  to  specifications  or  bid  procedures  must  be
 21        received  by  the  clerk,  secretary  or  other authorized official of the
 22        political subdivision at least one (1) business day before  the  date  and
 23        time upon which bids are scheduled to be received.
 24        (d)  When  written  bids  have  been received, by either physical or elec-
 25        tronic delivery, they shall be submitted to the governing board or govern-
 26        ing board-authorized official which shall approve the responsive bid  pro-
 27        posing  the lowest procurement price or reject all bids and publish notice
 28        for bids, as before.
 29        (e)  If the political subdivision finds that it is impractical or impossi-
 30        ble to obtain three (3) bids for the proposed  public  works  procurement,
 31        the political subdivision may acquire the work in any manner the political
 32        subdivision  deems  best  from a qualified public works contractor quoting
 33        the lowest price. When  fewer  than  three  (3)  bids  are  considered,  a
 34        description  of  the efforts undertaken to procure at least three (3) bids
 35        shall be documented by the political subdivision  and  such  documentation
 36        shall  be  maintained  for  at  least six (6) months after the procurement
 37        decision is made. If two (2) or more price quotations offered by different
 38        licensed public works contractors are the same and the  lowest  responsive
 39        bids,  the  governing  board  or  governing-board  authorized official may
 40        accept the one (1) it chooses.
 41        (3)  When a political subdivision contemplates an expenditure to  purchase
 42    public  works  construction  valued  in excess of one hundred thousand dollars
 43    ($100,000), the procurement procedures of this subsection (3) shall apply. The
 44    purchase of construction services shall be  made  pursuant  to  a  competitive
 45    sealed  bid  process  with  the  purchase to be made from the qualified public
 46    works contractor submitting the lowest bid price complying with bidding proce-
 47    dures and meeting the prequalifications, if any are provided,  established  by
 48    the  bid  documents.  Competitive bidding for public works may proceed through
 49    either of two (2) alternative procedures as set forth below:
 50        (a)  Category A. Competitive bidding procedures shall be open  to  receipt
 51        of  bids  from any licensed public works contractor desiring to bid upon a
 52        public works project. For a category A bid, the political subdivision  may
 53        only  consider  the  amount  bid,  bidder  compliance  with administrative
 54        requirements of the bidding process, and whether the bidder holds the req-
 55        uisite license.
                                                                        
                                           33
                                                                        
  1             (i)    The request for bids for a category A procurement shall set  a
  2             date and place for the public opening of bids. Two (2) notices solic-
  3             iting bids shall be published in the official newspaper of the polit-
  4             ical  subdivision.  The  first notice shall be published at least two
  5             (2) weeks before the date for opening bids, with the second notice to
  6             be published in the succeeding week at least seven  (7)  days  before
  7             the  date  that  bids  are  scheduled  to be opened. The notice shall
  8             succinctly describe the project to be constructed. Copies of specifi-
  9             cations, bid forms, bidder's instructions,  contract  documents,  and
 10             general and special instructions shall be made available upon request
 11             and payment of a reasonable plan copy fee by any interested bidder.
 12             (ii)   Written  objections  to  specifications  or bidding procedures
 13             must be received by the clerk, secretary or other authorized official
 14             of the political subdivision at least three (3) business days  before
 15             the  date  and  time  upon which bids are scheduled to be opened. The
 16             administrative officer or governing  board  supervising  the  bidding
 17             process  shall  respond to any such objection in writing and communi-
 18             cate such response to  the  objector  and  all  other  plan  holders,
 19             adjusting bidding timeframes if necessary.
 20             (iii)  All  bids  shall  be  presented  or  otherwise delivered under
 21             sealed cover to the clerk  of  the  political  subdivision  or  other
 22             authorized  agent  of  the  political  subdivision  designated by the
 23             information provided to bidders by the political subdivision  with  a
 24             concise  statement  marked  on  the outside generally identifying the
 25             expenditure to which the bid pertains.
 26             (iv)   If the political subdivision deems  it  is  in  the  political
 27             subdivision's best interest, it may require the bidder to provide bid
 28             security  in  an  amount  equal  to at least five percent (5%) of the
 29             amount bid. If required, a bid shall not be considered unless one (1)
 30             of the forms of bidder's security is enclosed with it, and unless the
 31             bid is submitted in a form which substantially complies with the form
 32             provided by the political subdivision. The political subdivision  may
 33             require that the bid security be in one (1) of the following forms:
 34                  (A)  Cash;
 35                  (B)  A  cashier's  check  made payable to the political subdivi-
 36                  sion;
 37                  (C)  A certified check made payable to  the  political  subdivi-
 38                  sion; or
 39                  (D)  A  bidder's  bond  executed  by a qualified surety company,
 40                  made payable to the political subdivision.
 41             (v)    Any bid received by the political subdivision may not be with-
 42             drawn after the date and time set in the notice for opening of  bids.
 43             When  sealed  bids have been received, they shall be opened in public
 44             at a designated place and time, thereafter to be compiled and submit-
 45             ted to the governing board for award.
 46             (vi)   If the successful bidder fails to execute  the  contract,  the
 47             amount  of  his  bidder's  security may be forfeited to the political
 48             subdivision at the sole discretion of the political  subdivision  and
 49             the proceeds shall be deposited in a designated fund out of which the
 50             expenses of procuring substitute performance are paid.
 51             (vii)  The  political  subdivision  may, on the refusal or failure of
 52             the successful bidder to execute the contract, award the contract  to
 53             the  qualified  bidder  submitting the next lowest responsive bid. If
 54             the governing board awards the contract to the next lowest  qualified
 55             bidder,  the  amount of the lowest qualified bidder's security may be
                                                                        
                                           34
                                                                        
  1             applied by the political subdivision to the  difference  between  the
  2             lowest  responsive  bid  and  the next lowest responsive bid, and the
  3             surplus, if any, shall be returned to the lowest bidder  if  cash  or
  4             check  is  used,  or  to the surety on the bidder's bond if a bond is
  5             used, less reasonable administrative costs not to exceed  twenty-five
  6             percent (25%) of the amount of the bidder's security to the owner.
  7             (viii) In  its  discretion,  the  governing board may reject all bids
  8             presented and re-bid, or the governing board may, after finding it to
  9             be a fact, pass a resolution declaring that the project sought to  be
 10             accomplished by the expenditure can be performed more economically by
 11             purchasing  goods  and services on the open market. If identical bids
 12             are received, the governing board may choose the bidder  it  prefers.
 13             If no bids are received, the governing board may procure the goods or
 14             services without further competitive bidding procedures.
 15             (ix)   If the governing board of any political subdivision chooses to
 16             award  a competitively bid contract involving the procurement of pub-
 17             lic works construction to a bidder other than the apparent  low  bid-
 18             der, the political subdivision shall declare its reason or reasons on
 19             the record and shall communicate such reason or reasons in writing to
 20             all persons who have submitted a competing bid.
 21             (x)    If any participating bidder objects to such award, such bidder
 22             shall respond in writing to the notice from the political subdivision
 23             within  seven  (7)  calendar  days  of the date of transmittal of the
 24             notice, setting forth in such response the express reason or  reasons
 25             that  the award decision of the governing board is in error. Thereaf-
 26             ter, staying performance of any procurement  until  after  addressing
 27             the  contentions  raised by the objecting bidder, the governing board
 28             shall review its decision and determine whether to affirm  its  prior
 29             award,  modify the award, or choose to re-bid, setting forth its rea-
 30             son or reasons therefor. After completion of the review process,  the
 31             political  subdivision  may  proceed  as it deems to be in the public
 32             interest.
 33        (b)  Category B. Competitive bidding procedures shall be open to  licensed
 34        public works contractors only after meeting preliminary supplemental qual-
 35        ifications  established by the political subdivision. The solicitation for
 36        bids in a category B procurement shall consist of two (2) stages, an  ini-
 37        tial  stage  determining  supplemental prequalifications for licensed con-
 38        tractors, either prime or specialty contractors, followed by a stage  dur-
 39        ing which bid prices will be accepted only from prequalified contractors.
 40             (i)    Notice of the prequalification stage of the category B compet-
 41             itive  bidding  process shall be given in the same manner that notice
 42             of competitive bidding is provided for a category A  competitive  bid
 43             request,  providing  a specific date and time by which qualifications
 44             statements must be received.  Political  subdivisions  may  establish
 45             prequalification  standards premised upon demonstrated technical com-
 46             petence, experience constructing similar facilities, prior experience
 47             with the political  subdivision,  available  nonfinancial  resources,
 48             equipment  and  personnel  as they relate to the subject project, and
 49             overall performance history based upon a contractor's entire body  of
 50             work.  Such  request  must  include  the standards for evaluating the
 51             qualifications of prospective bidders.
 52             (ii)   During the initial stage of the category  B  bidding  process,
 53             licensed  contractors desiring to be prequalified to bid on a project
 54             must submit a written response to a political  subdivision's  request
 55             for qualifications.
                                                                        
                                           35
                                                                        
  1             (iii)  Written  objections  to  prequalification  procedures  must be
  2             received by the clerk, secretary or other authorized official of  the
  3             political  subdivision  at  least  three (3) business days before the
  4             date and time upon which prequalification  statements  are  due.  The
  5             administrative  officer  or  governing  board supervising the bidding
  6             process shall respond to any such objection in writing  and  communi-
  7             cate  such response to the objector and all other contractors seeking
  8             to prequalify, adjusting bidding timeframes  if  necessary.  After  a
  9             review  of  qualification  submittals,  the political subdivision may
 10             select licensed contractors that meet the prequalification standards.
 11             If any licensed contractor submits a statement of qualifications  but
 12             is  not  selected  as  a  qualified bidder, the political subdivision
 13             shall supply a written statement of the reason  or  reasons  why  the
 14             contractor failed to meet prequalification standards.
 15             (iv)   Any  licensed contractor that fails the prequalification stage
 16             can appeal any such determination to the governing board within seven
 17             (7) days after transmittal of the prequalification results to contest
 18             the determination. If the governing board sustains the decision  that
 19             a contractor fails to meet prequalification standards, it shall state
 20             its reason or reasons for the record. A governing board decision con-
 21             cerning prequalification may be appealed to the public works contrac-
 22             tors  license  board  no  more  than fourteen (14) days following any
 23             decision on appeal made by the governing board. The public works con-
 24             tractors license board shall decide any such  appeal  within  thirty-
 25             five  (35)  days  of  the filing of a timely appeal. The public works
 26             contractors license board shall allow participation, written or oral,
 27             by the appealing contractor and the political subdivision, either  by
 28             employing  a  hearing officer or otherwise. The public works contrac-
 29             tors license board shall not substitute its judgment for that of  the
 30             political subdivision, limiting its review to determining whether the
 31             decision  of  the  governing  board  is consistent with the announced
 32             prequalification standards, whether  the  prequalification  standards
 33             comport  with  the  law and whether the governing board's decision is
 34             supported by the entirety of the record. The decision of  the  public
 35             works  contractors license board shall be written and shall state the
 36             reason or reasons for the decision. Category B prequalification  pro-
 37             cedures  that are appealed shall be stayed during the pendency of the
 38             prequalification appeal until the public  works  contractors  license
 39             board  completes  its review, but in no instance more than forty-nine
 40             (49) days after the appellate decision of the governing board regard-
 41             ing prequalification. Any licensed public works  contractor  affected
 42             by a decision on appeal by the public works contractors license board
 43             may,  within twenty-eight (28) days of the final decision, seek judi-
 44             cial review as provided by chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code.
 45             (v)    Following the conclusion of the  prequalification  administra-
 46             tive  procedures, the bidding stage shall proceed by the setting of a
 47             time, date and place for the public opening of bids. A notice  solic-
 48             iting  bids  shall  be  transmitted  to prequalified bidders at least
 49             fourteen (14) days before the date of opening the  bids.  The  notice
 50             shall  succinctly  describe  the project to be constructed. Copies of
 51             specifications, bid forms, bidder's instructions, contract documents,
 52             and general and special instructions shall  be  made  available  upon
 53             request and payment of a reasonable plan copy fee by any prequalified
 54             bidder.
 55             (vi)   Written  objections  to  specifications  or bidding procedures
                                                                        
                                           36
                                                                        
  1             must be received by the clerk, secretary or other authorized official
  2             of the political subdivision at least three (3) business days  before
  3             the date and time upon which bids are scheduled to be opened.
  4             (vii)  All  category B bids shall be presented or otherwise delivered
  5             under sealed cover to the clerk or  other  authorized  agent  of  the
  6             political  subdivision designated by the instructions to bidders with
  7             a concise statement marked on the outside generally  identifying  the
  8             expenditure to which the bid pertains.
  9             (viii) If  the  political  subdivision  deems  it is in the political
 10             subdivision's best interest, it may require the bidder to provide bid
 11             security in an amount equal to at least  five  percent  (5%)  of  the
 12             amount bid. If required, a bid shall not be considered unless one (1)
 13             of the forms of bidder's security is enclosed with it, and unless the
 14             bid is submitted in a form which substantially complies with the form
 15             provided  by the political subdivision. The political subdivision may
 16             require that the bid security be in one (1) of the following forms:
 17                  (A)  Cash;
 18                  (B)  A cashier's check made payable to  the  political  subdivi-
 19                  sion;
 20                  (C)  A  certified  check  made payable to the political subdivi-
 21                  sion; or
 22                  (D)  A bidder's bond executed by  a  qualified  surety  company,
 23                  made payable to the political subdivision.
 24             (ix)   Any category B bid received by a political subdivision may not
 25             be withdrawn after the date and time set in the notice for opening of
 26             bids.  When  sealed  bids have been received, they shall be opened in
 27             public at a designated place and time, thereafter to be compiled  and
 28             submitted  to  the  governing  board for award. If identical bids are
 29             received, the governing board may choose the bidder  it  prefers.  If
 30             the  successful  bidder  fails to execute the contract, the amount of
 31             his bidder's security may be forfeited to the political  subdivision,
 32             in the sole discretion of the political subdivision, and the proceeds
 33             shall be deposited in a designated fund out of which the expenses for
 34             procuring substitute performance are paid.
 35             (x)    The  political  subdivision  may, on the refusal or failure of
 36             the successful bidder to execute the contract, award the contract  to
 37             the  qualified  bidder  submitting the next lowest responsive bid. If
 38             the governing board awards the contract to the next lowest  qualified
 39             bidder, the amount of the lowest qualified bidder's security, if for-
 40             feited,  shall be applied by the political subdivision to the differ-
 41             ence between the lowest responsive bid and the next lowest responsive
 42             bid, and the surplus, if any, shall be returned to the lowest  bidder
 43             if  cash or check is used, or to the surety on the bidder's bond if a
 44             bond is used, less reasonable  administrative  costs  not  to  exceed
 45             twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount of the bidder's security.
 46             (xi)   In  its  discretion,  the  governing board may reject all bids
 47             presented and re-bid, or the governing board may, after finding it to
 48             be a fact, pass a resolution declaring that the project sought to  be
 49             accomplished by the expenditure can be performed more economically by
 50             purchasing  goods  and  services  on  the open market. If no bids are
 51             received, the governing board may make the expenditure  without  fur-
 52             ther competitive bidding procedures.
 53             (xii)  If the governing board of any political subdivision chooses to
 54             award  a competitively bid contract involving the procurement of pub-
 55             lic works construction to a bidder other than the apparent  low  bid-
                                                                        
                                           37
                                                                        
  1             der, the political subdivision shall declare its reason or reasons on
  2             the record and shall communicate such reason or reasons in writing to
  3             all persons who have submitted a competing bid.
  4             (xiii) If any participating bidder objects to such award, such bidder
  5             shall respond in writing to the notice from the political subdivision
  6             within  seven  (7)  calendar  days  of the date of transmittal of the
  7             notice, setting forth in such response the express reason or  reasons
  8             that  the award decision of the governing board is in error. Thereaf-
  9             ter, staying performance of any procurement  until  after  addressing
 10             the  contentions  raised by the objecting bidder, the governing board
 11             shall review its decision and determine whether to affirm  its  prior
 12             award,  modify the award, or choose to re-bid, setting forth its rea-
 13             son or reasons therefor. After completion of the review process,  the
 14             political  subdivision  may  proceed  as it deems to be in the public
 15             interest.
                                                                        
 16        67-2806.  PROCURING SERVICES OR PERSONAL PROPERTY. (1)  When  a  political
 17    subdivision contemplates an expenditure to purchase or lease personal property
 18    or to procure services, other than those services excluded pursuant to section
 19    67-2803,  Idaho  Code,  valued  in  excess  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars
 20    ($25,000)  but not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), the procurement
 21    procedures of this subsection (1) shall apply.
 22        (a)  The solicitation for bids shall be supplied to no  fewer  than  three
 23        (3)  vendors  by written means, either by electronic or physical delivery.
 24        The solicitation shall describe the personal property or  services  to  be
 25        purchased or leased in sufficient detail to allow a vendor dealing in such
 26        goods  or  services  to understand what the political subdivision seeks to
 27        procure.
 28        (b)  The solicitation for bids shall describe the electronic  or  physical
 29        delivery  method  or methods authorized to submit a bid, the date and time
 30        by which a bid proposal must be received by the clerk, secretary or  other
 31        authorized official of the political subdivision, and shall provide a rea-
 32        sonable  time  to respond to the solicitation, provided that except in the
 33        event of an emergency, such time shall not be less than three (3) business
 34        days.
 35        (c)  Written objections  to  specifications  or  bid  procedures  must  be
 36        received  by  the  clerk,  secretary  or  other authorized official of the
 37        political subdivision at least one (1) business day before  the  date  and
 38        time upon which bids are scheduled to be received.
 39        (d)  When  written  bids  have  been received, by either physical or elec-
 40        tronic delivery, they shall be compiled and  submitted  to  the  governing
 41        board  or  governing  board-authorized  official  which  shall approve the
 42        responsive bid proposing the lowest procurement price or reject  all  bids
 43        and publish notice for bids, as before.
 44        (e)  If the political subdivision finds that it is impractical or impossi-
 45        ble  to  obtain three (3) bids for the proposed procurement, the political
 46        subdivision may acquire the property in any manner the political  subdivi-
 47        sion  deems  best  from  a qualified vendor quoting the lowest price. When
 48        fewer than three (3) bids are considered, a  description  of  the  efforts
 49        undertaken  to  procure at least three (3) bids shall be documented by the
 50        political subdivision and such documentation shall be  maintained  for  at
 51        least  six  (6)  months  after any such procurement is made. If two (2) or
 52        more price quotations are the same and the  lowest  responsive  bids,  the
 53        authorized decision maker may accept the one (1) it chooses.
 54        (2)  When  a political subdivision contemplates an expenditure to purchase
                                                                        
                                           38
                                                                        
  1    or lease personal property or to procure services, other than  those  services
  2    excluded  pursuant  to  section 67-2803, Idaho Code, valued in excess of fifty
  3    thousand dollars ($50,000), the procurement procedures of this subsection  (2)
  4    shall apply.
  5        (a)  The  purchase  or lease shall be made pursuant to an open competitive
  6        sealed bid process with the procurement to be made from the qualified bid-
  7        der submitting the lowest bid price complying with bidding procedures  and
  8        meeting the specifications for the goods and/or services sought to be pro-
  9        cured.
 10        (b)  The request for bids shall set a date, time and place for the opening
 11        of  bids.  Two (2) notices soliciting bids shall be published in the offi-
 12        cial newspaper of the political subdivision. The  first  notice  shall  be
 13        published  at  least  two (2) weeks before the date for opening bids, with
 14        the second notice to be published in the succeeding week  at  least  seven
 15        (7)  days before the date that bids are scheduled to be opened. The notice
 16        shall succinctly describe the personal property and/or service to be  pro-
 17        cured.  Copies  of  specifications, bid forms, bidder's instructions, con-
 18        tract documents, and general and special instructions shall be made avail-
 19        able upon request by any interested bidder.
 20        (c)  Written objections to specifications or bidding  procedures  must  be
 21        received  by  the  clerk,  secretary  or  other authorized official of the
 22        political subdivision at least three (3) business days before the date and
 23        time upon which bids are scheduled to be opened.
 24        (d)  If  the  political  subdivision  deems  it  is   in   the   political
 25        subdivision's  best  interest,  it  may  require the bidder to provide bid
 26        security in an amount equal to at least five percent (5%)  of  the  amount
 27        bid.  If  required,  a  bid  shall not be considered unless one (1) of the
 28        forms of bidder's security is enclosed with it, and unless the bid is sub-
 29        mitted in a form which substantially complies with the  form  provided  by
 30        the  political subdivision. The political subdivision may require that the
 31        bid security be in one (1) of the following forms:
 32             (i)   Cash;
 33             (ii)  A cashier's check made payable to the political subdivision;
 34             (iii) A certified check made payable to the political subdivision; or
 35             (iv)  A bidder's bond executed by a qualified  surety  company,  made
 36             payable to the political subdivision.
 37        (e)  Any  bid  received  by the political subdivision may not be withdrawn
 38        after the time set in the notice for opening of  bids.  When  sealed  bids
 39        have  been  received, they shall be opened in public at a designated place
 40        and time, thereafter to be compiled and submitted to the governing board.
 41        (f)  If the successful bidder fails to execute the contract, the amount of
 42        his bidder's security may be forfeited to the political subdivision at the
 43        sole discretion of the governing board and thereafter the proceeds may  be
 44        deposited  in  a  designated fund out of which the reasonable expenses for
 45        procuring substitute performance are paid.
 46        (g)  The political subdivision may, on the refusal or failure of the  suc-
 47        cessful  bidder  to  execute  the contract, award the contract to the next
 48        lowest qualified bidder. If the governing board awards the contract to the
 49        next lowest qualified bidder, the amount of the lowest qualified  bidder's
 50        security  may  be  applied  by the political subdivision to the difference
 51        between the lowest responsive bid and the next lowest responsive bid,  and
 52        the  surplus,  if  any,  shall be returned to the lowest bidder if cash or
 53        check is used, or to the surety on the bidder's bond if a  bond  is  used,
 54        less  reasonable  administrative  costs  not to exceed twenty-five percent
 55        (25%) of the amount of the bidder's security.
                                                                        
                                           39
                                                                        
  1        (h)  In its discretion, the governing board may reject all bids  presented
  2        and  re-bid,  or  the  governing board may, after finding it to be a fact,
  3        pass a resolution declaring that the subject goods or services can be pro-
  4        cured more economically on the open market. If two (2) or  more  bids  are
  5        the  same  and  the lowest responsive bids, the governing board may accept
  6        the one (1) it chooses. In its discretion, the governing board of a polit-
  7        ical subdivision may preauthorize the purchase of equipment  at  a  public
  8        auction.
  9        (i)  If  the governing board of any political subdivision chooses to award
 10        a competitively bid contract involving the procurement of  personal  prop-
 11        erty  or  services  to  a  bidder  other than the apparent low bidder, the
 12        political subdivision shall declare its reason or reasons  on  the  record
 13        and  shall  communicate  such reason or reasons in writing to all who have
 14        submitted a competing bid.
 15        (j)  If any participating bidder objects to such award, such bidder  shall
 16        respond  in  writing  to  the notice from the political subdivision within
 17        seven (7) calendar days of the date of transmittal of the notice,  setting
 18        forth  in such response the express reason or reasons that the award deci-
 19        sion of the governing board is in error. Thereafter,  staying  performance
 20        of  any  procurement  until after addressing the contentions raised by the
 21        objecting bidder, the governing board shall review its decision and deter-
 22        mine whether to affirm its prior award, modify the award, or choose to re-
 23        bid, setting forth its reason or reasons therefor. After completion of the
 24        review process, the political subdivision may proceed as it deems to be in
 25        the public interest.
                                                                        
 26        67-2807.  JOINT PURCHASING AGREEMENTS -- NOT-FOR-PROFIT ASSOCIATIONS.
 27        (1)  Political subdivisions may enter  into  joint  purchasing  agreements
 28    with the state of Idaho or other political subdivisions and may participate in
 29    joint  purchasing  agreements  through a joint purchase program established by
 30    any not-for-profit association of political  subdivisions.  Personal  property
 31    procured  pursuant  to  such  joint  purchase  agreements shall be acquired in
 32    accordance with the provisions of this chapter, provided such  authority  does
 33    not  preclude  or  limit  political  subdivisions  from entering into purchase
 34    agreements as otherwise provided by statute.
 35        (2)  Political subdivisions may participate in a  program  established  by
 36    any  not-for-profit  association  of which they become a member to assist such
 37    political subdivisions in bidding and negotiating joint purchase contracts and
 38    discount purchase agreements. Participation in any such program does not obli-
 39    gate a political subdivision to purchase goods or services through the program
 40    or through an agreement negotiated by the program administrator or its  board.
 41    Political  subdivisions  shall  only be obligated to pay for goods or services
 42    where the governing board has approved the purchase. Any not-for-profit  asso-
 43    ciation  operating such a procurement program shall cause an independent, cer-
 44    tified audit of the program to be performed annually. The audit shall be  made
 45    available  to  the legislature upon request and a copy shall be made available
 46    for public inspection.
                                                                        
 47        67-2808.  EMERGENCY EXPENDITURES -- SOLE SOURCE EXPENDITURES.
 48        (1)  Emergency expenditures.
 49        (a)  The governing board of a political subdivision may  declare  that  an
 50        emergency  exists  and  that  the public interest and necessity demand the
 51        immediate expenditure of public money if:
 52             (i)   There is a great public  calamity,  such  as  an  extraordinary
 53             fire, flood, storm, epidemic or other disaster;
                                                                        
                                           40
                                                                        
  1             (ii)  It  is  necessary  to  do  emergency  work  to  prepare for the
  2             national or local defense; or
  3             (iii) It is necessary to do emergency work to safeguard life,  health
  4             or property.
  5        (b)  Upon  making  the  declaration  of emergency, any sum required in the
  6        emergency may be expended without compliance with  formal  bidding  proce-
  7        dures.
  8        (2)  Sole source expenditures.
  9        (a)  The governing board of a political subdivision may declare that there
 10        is  only  one  (1) vendor if there is only one (1) vendor for the personal
 11        property to be acquired. For purposes of this subsection (2), only one (1)
 12        vendor shall refer to situations where there is only one (1)  source  rea-
 13        sonably  available and shall include, but not be limited to, the following
 14        situations:
 15             (i)    Where property is required to respond  to  a  life-threatening
 16             situation or a situation which is immediately detrimental to the pub-
 17             lic welfare or property;
 18             (ii)   Where the compatibility of equipment, components, accessories,
 19             computer software, replacement parts or service is the paramount con-
 20             sideration;
 21             (iii)  Where  a sole supplier's item is needed for trial use or test-
 22             ing;
 23             (iv)   The purchase of mass-produced movies, videos, books  or  other
 24             copyrighted materials;
 25             (v)    The  purchase  of property for which it is determined there is
 26             no functional equivalent;
 27             (vi)   The purchase of public utility services;
 28             (vii)  The purchase of products, merchandise or trademarked goods for
 29             resale at a political subdivision facility; or
 30             (viii) Where competitive solicitation is impractical, disadvantageous
 31             or unreasonable under the circumstances.
 32        (b)  Upon making the declaration that there is only  one  (1)  vendor  for
 33        personal  property, unless the property is required for a life-threatening
 34        situation or a situation that is immediately  detrimental  to  the  public
 35        welfare  or  property,  notice  of a sole source procurement shall be pub-
 36        lished in the official newspaper of the  political  subdivision  at  least
 37        fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the award of the contract.
                                                                        
 38        SECTION  38.  That Section 67-4912, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 39    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 40        67-4912.  GENERAL POWERS OF BOARD. For and on behalf of the  district  the
 41    board shall have the following powers:
 42        (a)  To have perpetual existence;
 43        (b)  To have and use a corporate seal;
 44        (c)  To  sue  and  be sued, and be a party to suits, actions, and proceed-
 45    ings;
 46        (d)  Except as otherwise provided in this act chapter, to enter into  con-
 47    tracts and agreements, cooperative and otherwise, affecting the affairs of the
 48    district, including contracts with the United States of America and any of its
 49    agencies or instrumentalities, and contracts with corporations, public or pri-
 50    vate,  municipalities, or governmental subdivisions, and to cooperate with any
 51    one (1) or more of them  in  building,  erecting,  marketing  or  constructing
 52    facilities  within  the  district.  Except  in  cases in which a district will
 53    receive aid from a governmental agency, a notice shall be published  for  bids
                                                                        
                                           41
                                                                        
  1    on  all  construction  contracts  for  work or material, or both, involving an
  2    expense of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or more.  The  district  may  reject
  3    any  and  all  bids,  and if it shall appear that the district can perform the
  4    work or secure material for less than the lowest bid, it may proceed so to  do
  5    purchasing  shall be accomplished in accordance with the provisions of chapter
  6    28, title 67, Idaho Code;
  7        (e)  To borrow money and incur indebtedness and evidence the same by  cer-
  8    tificate, notes or debentures, and to issue bonds, in accordance with the pro-
  9    visions of this act chapter;
 10        (f)  To  acquire,  dispose of and encumber real and personal property, and
 11    any interest therein, including leases and easements within said district;
 12        (g)  To refund any bonded indebtedness of the district without  any  elec-
 13    tion;  provided,  however,  that  the obligations of the district shall not be
 14    increased by any refund of bonded indebtedness. Otherwise the terms and condi-
 15    tions of refunding bonds shall be substantially the same as those of an origi-
 16    nal issue of bonds;
 17        (h)  To have the management, control and supervision of all  the  business
 18    and affairs of the district, and the construction, installation, operation and
 19    maintenance of district facilities therein or therefor;
 20        (i)  To hire and retain agents, employees, engineers and attorneys;
 21        (j)  To construct and maintain works and establish and maintain facilities
 22    across  or along any public street or highway, and in, upon or over any vacant
 23    public lands, which public lands are now, or may become, the property  of  the
 24    state  of  Idaho, and to construct works and establish and maintain facilities
 25    across any stream of water or watercourse; provided, however,  that  the  dis-
 26    trict shall promptly restore any such street or highway to its former state of
 27    usefulness  as  nearly as may be, and shall not use the same in such manner as
 28    to completely or unnecessarily impair the usefulness thereof;
 29        (k)  To fix and from time to time to increase or decrease rates, tolls  or
 30    charges  for  services  or facilities furnished by the district, and to pledge
 31    such revenue for the payment of any indebtedness of the  district.  The  board
 32    shall fix rates, tolls and charges;
 33        (l)  To  petition  to enlarge the district by obtaining the consent of not
 34    less than ten percent (10%) of the qualified electors of any  area  to  be  so
 35    included,  and then to follow the procedure set forth herein for creating said
 36    district;
 37        (m)  To promote any functions for said district, provided that said  board
 38    shall  not engage in operations that are inconsistent with the purpose of said
 39    district; and it shall be the policy of the board not to compete with existing
 40    facilities and services in the district, wherever practicable;
 41        (n)  To adopt and amend by-laws bylaws not in conflict with the  constitu-
 42    tion  and  laws of the state for carrying on the business, objects and affairs
 43    of the board and of the districts;
 44        (o)  To have and exercise all rights and powers necessary or incidental to
 45    or implied from the specific powers  granted  herein,  except  that  districts
 46    formed  prior  to  January  1,  1987,  or  districts with twenty-five thousand
 47    (25,000) or more population shall have no power to levy and collect ad valorem
 48    property taxes. Such specific powers shall not be considered as  a  limitation
 49    upon  any  power necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent
 50    of this act chapter.
                                                                        
 51        SECTION 39.  That Section 67-5711, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 52    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
                                           42
                                                                        
  1        67-5711.  CONSTRUCTION,  ALTERATION,  EQUIPPING,  FURNISHING AND REPAIR OF
  2    PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND WORKS. The director of the department of  administration,
  3    or  his  designee, of the state of Idaho, is authorized and empowered, subject
  4    to the approval of the permanent building fund advisory council, to provide or
  5    secure all plans and specifications for, to let all contracts for, and to have
  6    charge of and supervision of the construction, alteration, equipping and  fur-
  7    nishing,  repair, maintenance other than preventive maintenance of any and all
  8    buildings, improvements of public works of the state of  Idaho,  the  cost  of
  9    which  construction, alteration, equipping and furnishing, repair, maintenance
 10    other than preventive maintenance exceeds the sum of thirty one hundred  thou-
 11    sand  dollars  ($3100,000) for labor, materials and equipment, which sum shall
 12    exclude design costs, bid advertising and related bidding expenses,  provided,
 13    that  the director or his designee, and permanent building fund advisory coun-
 14    cil shall, in the letting of contracts under this  section,  comply  with  the
 15    procedure  for  the  calling of bids provided in section 67-5711C, Idaho Code;
 16    provided, however, that this section shall  not  apply  to  the  construction,
 17    alteration,  equipping  or furnishing or repair or maintenance other than pre-
 18    ventive maintenance of public buildings under the jurisdiction and control  of
 19    the  board  of  regents of the university of Idaho; provided further, that the
 20    bidding procedures required by this section and section 67-5711C, Idaho  Code,
 21    shall  not  apply  to  performance  contracts as provided in section 67-5711D,
 22    Idaho Code; provided further, that public works for the  Idaho  transportation
 23    department,  the department of fish and game, the department of parks and rec-
 24    reation, and the department of lands, except for administrative office  build-
 25    ings  and  all associated improvements, are exempt from the provisions of this
 26    section that relate to the administration and review of such projects  by  the
 27    director of the department of administration or his designee and by the perma-
 28    nent  building  fund  advisory  council.  This exemption shall not relieve the
 29    Idaho transportation department, the department of fish and game, the  depart-
 30    ment  of  parks  and recreation, and the department of lands in the letting of
 31    contracts for public works, from complying  with  the  procedures  of  section
 32    67-5711C,  Idaho  Code,  related to the advertising and bidding for contracts.
 33    The permanent building fund advisory council may adopt rules  consistent  with
 34    existing  law, including rules for a program of inspection and maintenance, to
 35    carry out the provisions of this act chapter.
                                                                        
 36        SECTION 40.  That Section 67-5711C, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 37    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 38        67-5711C.  CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PROJECTS -- COMPETITIVE SEALED  BIDDING.
 39    (1) All construction contracts for public works shall be awarded to the lowest
 40    responsible  and responsive bidder after receipt of competitive sealed bidding
 41    except as otherwise provided in sections 67-5711B, 67-5711D and 67-5713, Idaho
 42    Code.
 43        (2)  An invitation for bids shall be issued and shall  include  a  project
 44    description  and all contractual terms and conditions applicable to the public
 45    works.
 46        (3)  Adequate public notice of the invitation for bids shall be  given  at
 47    least  fourteen  (14) days prior to the date set forth therein for the opening
 48    of bids. Such notice shall include publication at  least  fourteen  (14)  days
 49    prior  to  bid opening in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where
 50    the work is located.
 51        (4)  When prequalification is deemed in the best interest  of  the  state,
 52    competitive  bidding  procedures  shall  be open only to licensed public works
 53    contractors that meet preliminary supplemental qualifications.  The  solicita-
                                                                        
                                           43
                                                                        
  1    tion  for  bids in a prequalified bidder public works project shall consist of
  2    two (2) stages, an initial stage  for  identifying  prequalified  contractors,
  3    either  prime  or  specialty contractors, followed by a stage during which bid
  4    prices will be accepted only from  prequalified  contractors.  Notice  of  the
  5    prequalification  stage  shall be given in the same manner that notice of open
  6    competitive bidding is provided. Prequalification standards must  be  premised
  7    upon demonstrated technical competence, experience constructing similar facil-
  8    ities,  prior  experience  with  the  state, available nonfinancial resources,
  9    equipment and personnel as they relate to the  subject  project,  and  overall
 10    performance history based upon a contractor's entire body of work. Any request
 11    for  qualifications  must  include the standards for evaluating the qualifica-
 12    tions of prospective bidders. Licensed contractors desiring to be prequalified
 13    to bid on a project must submit a written response to a request for qualifica-
 14    tions. After a review of qualification submittals, licensed  contractors  that
 15    meet the prequalification standards shall be notified. Thereafter, bids may be
 16    solicited  from  contractors  that  meet  the  prequalification standards. The
 17    department may  promulgate  rules  or  develop  procedures  to  implement  the
 18    prequalification process.
 19        (5)  Bids shall be opened publicly at the time and place designated in the
 20    invitation  for  bids. The amount of each bid and such other relevant informa-
 21    tion as may be specified by rules, together with  the  name  of  each  bidder,
 22    shall  be  entered  on a record and the record shall be open to public inspec-
 23    tion. After the time of the award all bids and bid documents shall be open  to
 24    public  inspection in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-337 through
 25    9-347 and 67-5725, Idaho Code.
 26        (56)  With respect to a project having a written cost estimate of  greater
 27    than  two twenty-five thousand five hundred dollars ($2,525,000) but less than
 28    the public works limit established in section 67-5711, Idaho Code, the agency,
 29    if it does not perform the work with existing physical plant staff, must award
 30    a written contract to the  lowest  responsible  and  responsive  bidder  after
 31    soliciting  at  least  three  (3)  documented  informal  bids from contractors
 32    licensed in Idaho to perform public works contracts, if reasonably  available.
 33    Adequate  public  notice of the invitation for informal bids shall be given at
 34    least seven (7) days prior to the date set forth therein for  the  receipt  of
 35    the informal bids. Such notice may include publication at least seven (7) days
 36    prior  to  bid opening in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where
 37    the work is located; or the agency may advertise the invitation  for  bids  in
 38    appropriate trade journals, and otherwise notify persons believed to be inter-
 39    ested  in the award of a contract. Informal bids must be submitted by the con-
 40    tractor in writing in response to a prepared written document  describing  the
 41    project's  scope  of  work  in  sufficient detail so as to enable a contractor
 42    familiar with such work to prepare a responsible bid. Nothing  herein  exempts
 43    an agency from the responsibility of utilizing formal plans and specifications
 44    if  the  work  involves the public health or safety as described in chapters 3
 45    and 12, title 54, Idaho Code. The agency must document receipt of the informal
 46    bids in the project file.
 47        (67)  Any personal property including goods, parts, supplies and equipment
 48    which is to be supplied or provided by a state agency for use  in  any  public
 49    work,  project,  or  preventive maintenance programs, whether the public work,
 50    project, or preventive maintenance program is constructed, undertaken or  per-
 51    formed  by  agency  in-house  personnel,  or by delegation pursuant to section
 52    67-5710A, Idaho Code, or otherwise provided or supplied by  the  agency  to  a
 53    contractor,  the  personal  property, goods, parts, supplies or equipment sup-
 54    plied or provided by the agency must be purchased or procured  by  the  agency
 55    through the division of purchasing in accordance with the Idaho Code.
                                                                        
                                           44
                                                                        
  1        SECTION  41.  That Section 70-1612, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  2    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
  3        70-1612.  PURCHASING PROCEDURES  --  CONTRACTS.  (1)  Upon  all  purchases
  4    and/or  works  involving twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or less, based
  5    upon the liability assumed by a port district thereon, all  material  required
  6    by  a  port district may be procured in the open market or by contract and all
  7    work ordered may be done by contract or day labor. All such  purchases  and/or
  8    works  involving  in  excess  of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), as so
  9    measured, shall be let upon contract in the manner herein provided.  All  such
 10    contracts  shall  be let at public bidding upon notice published at least once
 11    in a newspaper in the district at least ten  (10)  days  before  the  letting,
 12    calling  for  sealed  bids  upon  the work, plans and specifications for which
 13    shall then be on file in the office of the commission for  public  inspection.
 14    The  same  notice  Except as otherwise provided in this section and in section
 15    70-1613, Idaho Code, procurement by port districts shall comply with the  pro-
 16    visions  of  chapter  28,  title  67, Idaho Code. In addition to the standards
 17    established thereby, a port district may also call for bids on  such  work  or
 18    material based upon plans and specifications submitted by the bidder.
 19        (2)  Should  emergency  repairs  to,  or  replacements of any equipment or
 20    other property owned or operated by any port  district,  become  necessary  in
 21    order  to keep the port from ceasing operations, the port commission may, upon
 22    passing a resolution declaring such emergency, cause such repairs or  replace-
 23    ments  to  be  made without the necessity of compliance with subsection (1) of
 24    this section.
 25        (3)  The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not  apply  to
 26    the purchase or acquisition of used personal property.
                                                                        
 27        SECTION  42.  That Section 70-1613, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 28    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 29        70-1613.  NOTICE -- AWARD OF CONTRACT -- BOND. The notice shall state gen-
 30    erally the nature of the work to be done and require that bids be  sealed  and
 31    filed  with  the  commission  at  a  time specified therein. Each bid shall be
 32    accompanied by a bid proposal deposit in the form of a cashier's check,  money
 33    order  or  surety bid bond to the commission for a sum to be determined by the
 34    commission but not less than five per cent (5%) of the amount of the bid,  and
 35    no  bid shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid proposal deposit or
 36    bond. Such notice shall further state the time and place at  which  such  bids
 37    shall  be  opened, and at such time and place a quorum of the commission shall
 38    attend and publicly open and read such bids, and Upon following the procedural
 39    steps established by chapter 28, title 67, Idaho Code, for receipt of bids, as
 40    modified by provisions of this title, the port  commission  shall  proceed  to
 41    canvass  the bids, and at the proper time thereafter may let the contract upon
 42    the bid which the commission  determines  to  be  the  best  responsible  bid,
 43    whether  or  not the same be the lowest bid, upon the plans and specifications
 44    on file, or the best responsible bid of a bidder submitting his own plans  and
 45    specifications. If, in the opinion of the commission, all bids are unsatisfac-
 46    tory,  they  may  reject all of them and re-advertise readvertise, and in such
 47    case all such bid proposal deposits shall be returned to the bidders; but,  if
 48    the  contract  is let, then all bid proposal deposits shall be returned to the
 49    bidders, except that of the successful bidder, which shall be retained until a
 50    contract is entered into for the purchase of such material or  doing  of  such
 51    work.  A bond shall be given to the port district by the successful bidder for
 52    the performance of the contract and otherwise conditioned as required by  law,
                                                                        
                                           45
                                                                        
  1    with  surety  satisfactory  to the commission, in an amount to be fixed by the
  2    commission, but not in any event less than twenty-five per cent percent  (25%)
  3    of  the  contract  price.  If  said bidder fails to enter into the contract in
  4    accordance with his bid and furnish such bond within ten (10)  days  from  the
  5    date  on  which  he is notified that he is the successful bidder, the check or
  6    money order and the amount thereof shall be forfeited to the port district, or
  7    the port district shall recover the amount of the  surety  bid  bond.  In  the
  8    alternative,  a  port district may, by passage of a resolution by the board of
  9    commissioners, elect to exclusively follow the provisions of chapter 28, title
 10    67, Idaho Code, concerning procurement.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


                 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

                       RS 15057
                                 
This bill is the work of a broad-spectrum task force
including private contractors and public officials to
improve the accountability and efficiency of the public
works procurement and construction process.  Among the
central components of this bill are: (1) improvements to the
public works contractor licensing process through better
reporting of information; (2) increased responsibility for
license holders; (3) clarification of jurisdiction for the
public works contractor licensing board; and (4) increased
consequences for ethical or performance failures by public
works contractors.  The purchasing process would be made
more cost-effective for local governments and the state. It
would better define procedures for procuring goods and
services including a pre-qualification process for
contractors, documentation of semi-formal purchasing and
providing recourse for disappointed bidders.  Violators on
the purchasing side would be exposed to greater penalties at
the same time that procedures would require better record
keeping to enable scrutiny of the competitive bidding
process. Purchasing of personal property and commercial
services would be governed by similar procedures. The end
result would be a unified purchasing law that will simplify
compliance issues for contractors or vendors while
standardizing procurement procedures for political
subdivisions. The changes better enable education of owners
and contractors that should result in increased contracting
opportunities for the private sector.  The length of the
proposal is the result of numerous changes to section-to-
section references.
               
                       FISCAL NOTE
                                      
There will be no impact to the state general fund. 
Contractor license fees pay for the costs of operating the
Idaho Public Works License Board.  
          

Contact:
Rep. Max Black      332-1000
Rep. Leon Smith     332-1000
Rep. Mike Mitchell  332-1000
Sen. John Andreason 332-1333
David Bennion, Chair, ID Public Works Licensing Board   867-2338
Michael Gifford, Associated General Contractors         344-2531
Ken Harward & Jerry Mason, Assn. of ID Cities           344-8594
          
          
          
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                        H 263