The state House on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved legislation that would allow state agencies to buy cars made in Georgia without going through the competitive bid process.
House Bill 259, sponsored by Rep. Terry Rogers, R-Clarkesville, was designed at the behest of Gov. Nathan Deal.
Kia Motors is Georgia’s only major auto manufacturer, and thousands of employees work at its West Point-based plant and a string of nearby suppliers. But it could soon have company.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that Deal has tried to recruit Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo in recent weeks.
The competitive bidding process is outlined in a series of state regulations that require sealed proposals, public advertising of many contracts and other restrictions.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
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