(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Political subdivision” means a separate agency or unit of local government created or established by law or ordinance and the officers thereof. The term includes, but is not limited to, a county; a city, town, or other municipality; or a department, commission, authority, school district, taxing district, water management district, board, public corporation, institution of higher education, or other public agency or body thereof authorized to expend public funds for construction, maintenance, repair, or improvement of public works.
(b) “Public works project” means an activity exceeding $1 million in value that is paid for with any state-appropriated funds and which consists of the construction, maintenance, repair, renovation, remodeling, or improvement of a building, road, street, sewer, storm drain, water system, site development, irrigation system, reclamation project, gas or electrical distribution system, gas or electrical substation, or other facility, project, or portion thereof that is owned in whole or in part by any political subdivision.
(2) Except as required by federal or state law, the state or any political subdivision that contracts for a public works project may not take the following actions:
(a) Prevent a certified, licensed, or registered contractor, subcontractor, or material supplier or carrier, from participating in the bidding process based on the geographic location of the company headquarters or offices of the contractor, subcontractor, or material supplier or carrier submitting a bid on a public works project or the residences of employees of such contractor, subcontractor, or material supplier or carrier.
(b) Require that a contractor, subcontractor, or material supplier or carrier engaged in a public works project:
1. Pay employees a predetermined amount of wages or prescribe any wage rate;
2. Provide employees a specified type, amount, or rate of employee benefits;
3. Control, limit, or expand staffing; or
4. Recruit, train, or hire employees from a designated, restricted, or single source.
(c) Prohibit any contractor, subcontractor, or material supplier or carrier able to perform such work that is qualified, licensed, or certified as required by state or local law to perform such work from receiving information about public works opportunities or from submitting a bid on the public works project. This paragraph does not apply to vendors listed under ss. 287.133 and 287.134.
(3) This section does not apply to the following:
(a) Contracts executed under chapter 337.
(b) A use authorized by s. 212.055(1) which is approved by a majority vote of the electorate of the county or by a charter amendment approved by a majority vote of the electorate of the county.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2017-113; s. 2, ch. 2021-194.