SB 196 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Competitive bidding; purchase and installation of playground equipment by public K-12 schools, exempted

SB 196 exempts public K-12 schools from Alabama's public works bidding law ($100,000+ threshold) when purchasing or installing playground equipment. Instead of following the public works law's competitive bidding requirements, schools would use standard competitive bidding rules applicable to such purchases. The bill directly affects public school districts purchasing playground equipment, removing the need for the more complex public works bidding process. This change streamlines procurement for playground equipment without altering other bidding requirements for school construction projects.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Signed Mar 17, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 17, 2026

MODERATE

The bill has transitioned from its introduction stage to its enrolled (final) version, incorporating significant policy updates to the public works competitive bidding law. The primary changes involve clarifying the $100,000 threshold for bidding requirements, adding specific exemptions for heating and air conditioning units, and establishing new procedures for municipalities and counties to advertise bids via websites or county engineer associations. These updates aim to streamline procurement processes while maintaining accountability and preventing the splitting of contracts to evade bidding rules.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include specific exemptions for HVAC equipment and alternative advertising methods for municipalities and counties, whereas the introduced version contained a synopsis that did not detail these specific exceptions.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific language clarifying that contracts for public works over $100,000 require sealed bids, with exceptions for municipalities that can advertise via bulletin boards or county engineer association procedures.

Modified the advertising requirements for municipalities to allow posting notices on bulletin boards if no local newspaper exists, and added an alternative advertising method for counties using approved county engineer procedures.

Added a mandate for the Department of Finance to establish and maintain a centralized digital platform for publishing public works bid advertisements.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new exemption for purchasing heating or air conditioning units if they were obtained through an approved competitive bid process or a state purchasing cooperative.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 779

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (State Government)

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 396

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (County and Municipal Government)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors