PUBLIC CONTRACTS: Increases budget cost minimums for professional services contract exemptions. (gov sig) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

Increased the budget cost threshold for professional service contract exemptions from $1 million to $2 million.

Deleted the requirement that agencies must award at least 50% of exempt contracts to separate, distinct, and unaffiliated firms.

Added a specific effective date provision stating the law takes effect upon gubernatorial signature or if the bill becomes law without a signature, replacing the previous fixed date of July 1, 2026.

The estimated budget threshold for professional service contract exemptions was increased from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.

Agencies entering into more than one exempt professional services contract in a fiscal year must ensure at least 50% are awarded to separate, distinct, and unaffiliated firms.

The effective date of the new law was changed from the Governor's signature date to July 1, 2026.

Removed the Senate Legislative Services digest and summary sections, which are informational and not part of the actual law.

Added a mandate requiring that at least 50% of professional service contracts awarded in a single fiscal year must go to separate, distinct, and unaffiliated firms if the contracts are exempt from competitive bidding.

Changed the effective date of the legislation from the date of the governor's signature to a fixed date of July 1, 2026.