Bill Description: Senate Bill 1042 requires certain changes to the way Idaho governments buy professional services. 

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Amendment Analysis: The Amendment to Senate Bill 1042 does not change the rating or substantively change the analysis.

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?

Senate Bill 1042 amends Section 67-2320, Idaho Code, to increase the fairness and transparency of the process by which public agencies and political subdivisions of the state secure contracts with professional service providers. 

Agencies and subdivisions would be required to use measurable scoring and ranking criteria. They would also have to disclose to the public a ranked list of applicants and the scoring mechanism they use.

The changes also require public agencies and political subdivisions to "select for negotiation the persons or firms whom the public agency or political subdivision determines to be the highest-ranked (best qualified)."

Requiring government offices to develop meaningful metrics and make their process and metrics open and transparent is a positive change.

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