CHAPTER 64
Senate Substitute for House Bill No. 2571
An Act concerning counties; relating to public bids for construction contracts; increasing the cost threshold for when the public bidding process shall be used to award such contracts; amending K.S.A. 19-214 and repealing the existing section.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
Section 1. K.S.A. 19-214 is hereby amended to read as follows: 19-214. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), and in K.S.A. 19-216a, and amendments thereto, all contracts for the expenditure of county moneys for the construction of any courthouse, jail or other county building, or the construction of any bridge, highway, road, dam, turnpike or related structures or stand-alone parking lots in excess of $25,000$100,000, shall be awarded, on a public letting, to the lowest and best bid. For all awarded contracts in excess of $25,000, the person, firm or corporation to whom the contract may be awarded shall give and file with the board of county commissioners a good and sufficient surety bond by a surety company authorized to do business in the state of Kansas, to be approved by the county attorney or county counselor, in the amount of the contract, and conditioned for the faithful performance of the contract.
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply: (1) To the expenditure of county funds for professional services; (2) to the provisions of K.S.A. 68-521, and amendments thereto; (3) to the purchase of contracts of insurance; or (4) to the repair of any courthouse, jail or other county building or the repair or replacement of any such building’s equipment when an emergency based upon public health or safety is declared by the board of county commissioners. Such emergency shall be defined as an occurrence of severe damage to a building or its equipment resulting from any natural or man-made cause, including fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, explosion, riot, terrorism or hostile military or paramilitary action, or events of similar nature or character. Such damage must be so severe it prevents the building or equipment from being used for its intended function. Construction of a replacement building remains subject to the provisions of subsection (a).
Sec. 2. K.S.A. 19-214 is hereby repealed.
Sec. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the statute book.
Approved April 6, 2026.
