(Tallahassee, FL - April 29, 2010) Today, Representative Eric Eisnaugle’s (R – Orlando) House Bill 1157 that prevents local governments from excessively delaying payment to contractors passed the Senate floor 38-0. The bill now goes to the Governor for final action. This bill was a priority for UUCF for the 2010 Legislative Session.

Currently, contractors working for local governments may have to wait weeks or months for payment after contract completion despite current prompt payment laws. The bill provides reasonable time periods for local governments to perform due diligence on a contractor’s work without allowing for long payment delays that harm small businesses.

House Bill 1157 provides revisions to the current prompt payment law by requiring localities to designate a single point of contact to handle contract issues, specifying time periods processing invoice payments, and laying out a process for handling invoice disputes. Additionally, contractors would not be penalized for government delays in providing needed documentation.

UUCF thanks Representative Eric Eisnaugle and Senator Carey Baker (R – Eustis) for sponsoring the bills.