OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill in the House that would allow county purchasing agents to select the next lowest bidder in certain cases if the original bidder is unable to fulfill an awarded contract.

Senate Bill 403 now moves to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law.

"There are instances where an original bidder can't complete the work," Cantrell explained. "Rather than having our counties restart the bidding process, which could result in untimely and costly delays on county projects, this legislation would speed that process."

Under the provisions of the measure, the next to lowest bidder would have to agree to complete the work at or below the original bid price. The measure does not include information technology or telecommunications services, which would revert to the requirements of the competitive bidding process.

Sen. Jack Stewart, R-Yukon, is the Sen. author of the bill.

If signed into law, SB403 would become effective Nov. 1.