Bill description: HB 446 increases the objectivity and transparency of the process that public agencies use to select professional service providers.  

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Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency or accountability? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency or accountability?

HB 446 clarifies the process that state agencies or political subdivisions of the state use when they seek out competitive bids from professional service providers. It makes the process more objective by requiring that providers bidding for a contract be scored based on "established measurable criteria," and it increases transparency by requiring that the criteria and scores be made available to the public. Additionally, HB 446 serves to protect the taxpayer by requiring that no less than 50% of the scoring criteria be based on competitive cost. 

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