Public Contracts - As enacted, enacts the "Higher Education Purchasing Act." - Amends TCA Title 12 and Title 49.

SB 2670, the "Higher Education Purchasing Act," allows private, nonprofit colleges and universities in Tennessee to access the same statewide discounted procurement contracts currently available to public institutions. It directly affects eligible private institutions (accredited, Tennessee-based, and approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission) by permitting them to purchase goods and services through state contracts at the same pricing as public schools, without requiring new state funding or fees. Key provisions prohibit vendors from charging higher prices to private institutions or retaliating against them for participating, while ensuring public institutions retain full access to contracts and state costs remain unchanged. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires the state to establish a simple enrollment process for private institutions to join existing procurement systems.