State Entity Authority For Public-private Partnerships

The bill authorizes a state public entity to enter into an agreement with a private partner to form a public-private partnership to develop or operate a public project. "State public entity" includes the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government, but excludes the department of transportation and any institution of higher education. The bill does not impact the authority of the department of transportation or any institution of higher education to enter into a public-private partnership or similar agreement as otherwise authorized by law.

The bill specifies the project delivery methods or agreements that a state public entity may use to develop or operate a public project and that the financing of a public project may be in the amounts and upon the terms and conditions determined by the parties to the agreement. The private partner and state public entity may use any money that may be available for the public project and may enter into specified financing agreements.

The executive director of the department of personnel or the executive director's designee (executive director) is required to oversee any public-private partnership undertaken pursuant to the bill by a state public entity that is in the executive branch of state government. The executive director is also required to ensure that each public-private partnership undertaken by a state public entity that is in the executive branch of state government is in the best interest of the taxpayers of the state.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)