Ackerman bill would restrict towns from considering cost of architectural services

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island House of Representatives last week passed two bills that Rep. Mia Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln) introduced, that she says will help businesses.

The first (H5817) requires municipalities to comply with federal law and regulations when awarding contracts for architectural, engineering and consulting services. It allows cities and towns to establish pre-qualifications for such services, or to use pre-qualification lists from state agencies.

The bill also prohibits municipalities from seeking submission of cost or time estimates before selecting a firm for negotiation during procurement.

“This legislation gives cities and towns the flexibility to choose architects and engineers who are experienced and qualified without necessarily being the low bidder,” Ackerman said in a news release. “It better for local businesses who have built up a longstanding professional reputation in their industry and in the community; and it’s also good for the cities and towns who want high-quality work done without having to be shackled to the lowest bidder, which may be some person just out of school.”

The second bill (H5647) lays out regulations for a foreign corporation seeking a certificate of authority to conduct business in Rhode Island.

The legislation makes it so the corporation only has to provide “a certificate of good standing or legal existence issued by the proper officer of the state or country under the laws of which it is incorporat- ed,” rather than a copy of its articles of incorporation and all amendments to it.

“This will make it easier for foreign companies to do business in Rhode Island,” Ackerman said. “It’s another part of our efforts to make Rhode Island a more business-friendly state by removing some of the red tape that tends to bog business down.”

Sen. Frank S. Lombardo III (D-Dist. 25, Johnston) introduced similar legislation in the Senate (S0618).