Budget & Taxes (Procurement)

This bill allows the Louisiana Commissioner of Administration to sell surplus movable state property through public auctions. It requires the commissioner to hire qualified auctioneers via competitive bidding, with the contract lasting one year and requiring annual renewal. When both in-state and out-of-state auctioneers bid, the law gives preference to in-state professionals if their services are equal in quality and cost no more than 10% higher than out-of-state options. The changes apply to any state board, commission, agency, or department disposing of surplus movable items.

This bill establishes the Dream Starter Act to create a new assistance program for first-generation homebuyers in Louisiana who lack generational wealth or prior homeownership experience. The program will provide forgivable loans to help eligible applicants cover down payments, closing costs, mortgage insurance, and interest rate buy-downs when purchasing a principal residence. To qualify, applicants must meet first-time homebuyer criteria, complete approved homebuyer education and financial counseling, and commit to living in the home for a specified period. The Louisiana Housing Corporation will administer the program, manage a dedicated state fund, and submit annual reports on participation and outcomes to the legislature.

SB 300 updates Louisiana's procurement code specifically for information technology (IT) systems, services, and related contracts. It establishes new definitions (like "Invitation to negotiate" for IT procurement) and sets rules for rental contracts (max 12-month renewals without bidding, price limits), multiyear IT contracts (requiring written approval for over 3 years), and master agreements (needing procurement team review). The bill directly affects state agencies and IT vendors by clarifying how IT procurement must be conducted, including requiring procurement support team reviews for certain contracts. It does not change overall procurement law but specifies IT procurement procedures to supersede conflicting statutes for IT-related purchases.