HB137 • 2026

Contract Review; exemptions from review of executive branch contracts, require Governor to certify the need for exemption from contract review

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Pringle
Last action: 2026-01-21
Official status: Read Second Time in House of Origin
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill status shows it passed both chambers, but the effective date is set for October 1, 2026.

New Rules for Emergency Government Contracts

This bill requires the Governor to certify that an emergency justifies skipping normal contract review before executive branch agencies can use such contracts.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Governor to certify that a danger to public health, safety, or welfare justifies using an emergency contract without committee review for executive branch agencies.
Keeps the rule that agency heads must write a declaration explaining how public health, safety, or welfare is at risk.
Limits emergency contracts involving public welfare emergencies to a maximum of 60 days unless the Committee reviews them for extension.

Who It Names or Affects

Executive branch agencies and all licensing boards
The Governor
Agency heads or Chief Procurement Officers who declare emergencies
The Contract Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee

Terms To Know

Contract Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee: A legislative group that reviews contracts paid with state funds before they are approved.
Executive branch agencies: Government departments and all licensing boards under the Governor's authority.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill only applies to contracts in the executive branch, not other parts of government.
Emergency contracts involving public welfare emergencies can last no longer than 60 days unless reviewed for extension by the Committee.
This law takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Bill History

2026-01-21 House
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2026-01-21 House
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
2026-01-13 House
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-01-13 House
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on State Government

Official Summary Text

Contract Review; exemptions from review of executive branch contracts, require Governor to certify the need for exemption from contract review

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB137 INTRODUCED
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HB137
NR6XWJT-1
By Representative Pringle
RFD: State Government
First Read: 13-Jan-26
PFD: 08-Jan-26
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NR6XWJT-1 01/05/2026 PMG (L)PMG 2025-3705
Page 1
PFD: 08-Jan-26
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, the Contract Review
Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee reviews
contracts for personal or professional services with
private entities and individuals which are paid out of
state funds. A contract is exempt from review by the
committee if the head of the contracting agency
declares that an emergency adversely affecting public
health, public safety, or public welfare exists.
This bill would require the Governor, for
contracts with executive branch agencies, to justify
the emergency in order to exempt the contracts from
contract review.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to contract review; to amend Section
29-2-41.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to impose additional
requirements before certain contracts may be considered
emergency contracts exempt from review by the Contract Review
Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
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HB137 INTRODUCED
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 29-2-41.1, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"§29-2-41.1
(a) In case of an emergency adversely affecting public
health, public safety, or public welfare of the state, so
declared in writing by the Chief Procurement Officer or the
head of a purchasing agency, as defined under Section
41-4-114, setting forth the nature of the danger to public
health, public safety, or public welfare of the state,
contracts may be let to the extent necessary to meet the
emergency without review by the committee.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), for any contract
where the purchasing agency is in the executive branch, in
addition to the written declaration required under subsection
(a), a contract may be let to the extent necessary to meet an
emergency without review by the committee only if the
Governor, prior to the contract going into effect, certifies
to the committee that the nature of the danger to public
health, public safety, or public welfare justifies the need
for an emergency contract. For purposes of this subsection,
executive branch agencies include all licensing boards.
(c) Any contract let pursuant to this section involving
an emergency adversely affecting the public welfare of the
state shall be let for a period of not more than 60 days
during which time the committee shall review a contract for a
longer period of time if such services are required beyond the
60-day limit hereby imposed."
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
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HB137 INTRODUCED
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Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.57