HB 107 -- STATE PURCHASING

This bill requires the Commissioner of Administration to give
state purchasing preference to products and services
manufactured, produced, or assembled by qualified nonprofit
organizations for the blind and certified sheltered workshops.

HB 107 -- STATE PURCHASING (Boucher)

This bill requires the Commissioner of Administration to give a
5 point state purchasing preference to products and services
manufactured, produced, or assembled by qualified nonprofit
organizations for the blind and sheltered workshops.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 107, HCA 1 -- STATE PURCHASING

SPONSOR:  Boucher

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Governmental Organization and Review by a vote of 9 to 0.

This bill requires the Commissioner of Administration to give
state purchasing preference to products and services
manufactured, produced, or assembled by qualified nonprofit
organizations for the blind.

HCA 1 -- Defines preference as a 5 point bonus on bids for blind
workshops.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill would help blind
workshops in St. Louis and Kansas City keep blind people
working.  The federal government currently purchases about 90%
of the  products produced.  Due to federal government
downsizing, jobs may be lost.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Boucher; Alpha Point
Association for the Blind; Missouri Association for Social
Welfare; Light House of St. Louis; Barbara Dewberry; and Melvin
Smith.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Research Analyst

HB 107 -- State Purchasing

Sponsor:  Boucher

This bill requires the Commissioner of Administration to give
state purchasing preference to products and services
manufactured, produced, or assembled by qualified nonprofit
organizations for the blind.