Procurement - Electronic Transactions - Clarification of Fees Due

SB 196 clarifies that fees collected from bidders or contractors for electronic procurement transactions must be paid to the State, not to third-party vendors providing the electronic systems. It modifies Maryland's procurement law to specify that these fees, approved by the Chief Procurement Officer and the Board of Public Works, must be deposited into the State's Operations Revenue Fund. The bill directly affects state agencies conducting electronic procurement and private contractors supplying those systems. It takes effect June 1, 2025, and ensures fees from electronic transactions benefit state operations, not external providers.