Iowa bidding law turns into government competition legislation

March 17, 2016

An amended version of Senate File 1 passed the Iowa House Thursday 51-44.  SF 1 passed the Iowa Senate in 2015 and was amended on the floor of the Iowa House Thursday. The amendment, which was passed on a party-line vote, allows state agencies to consider bids from Iowa manufacturers. The current law requires that state agencies purchase their products from state-run Iowa Prison Industries. ABI for many years has expressed concern about government interference with the private sector. The amended version of SF 1 is another attempt to allow the private sector to bid on a level playing field and to ensure the state is a good steward on behalf of Iowa taxpayers.