SB1133 - 542R

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 15-213, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE15-213. Procurement practices of school districts and charter schools; violations; classification; definitions

A. The state board of education shall adopt rules prescribing procurement practices for all school districts in this state as follows:

1. The state board shall submit to the auditor general proposed rules consistent with the procurement practices prescribed in title 41, chapter 23, modifying the provisions for public notice of invitation for bids, requests for proposals and requests for qualifications to allow a governing board to give public notice of the invitation for bids, requests for proposals and requests for qualifications by publication in the official newspaper of the county as prescribed in section 11‑255, modifying the provisions relating to disposal of materials to comply with section 15‑342, paragraph 18, providing for governing board delegation of procurement authority and modifying as necessary other provisions that the state board determines are not appropriate for school districts. The rules shall include provisions specifying that school districts are not required to engage in competitive bidding in order to make the decision to participate in programs pursuant to section 15‑382 and that a program authorized by section 15‑382 is not required to engage in competitive bidding for the services necessary to administer the program or for purchase of insurance or reinsurance. The rules shall include provisions specifying that school districts are not required to engage in competitive bidding in order to place a pupil in a private school that provides special education services if such a placement is prescribed in the pupil's individualized education program and the private school has been approved by the department of education division of special education pursuant to section 15‑765, subsection D. This placement is not subject to rules adopted by the state board of education before November 24, 2009 pursuant to this section. The rules for procurement of construction projects shall include provisions specifying that surety bonds furnished as bid security and performance and payment bonds shall be executed and furnished as required by title 34, chapter 2 or 6, as applicable. The rules shall specify the total cost of a procurement that is subject to invitations for bids, requests for proposals and requests for clarification, using the aggregate dollar amount limits for procurements prescribed in section 41‑2535. The rules must follow the prompt payment requirements prescribed in sections 41-2576 and 41-2577.

2. The state board of education shall adopt rules for procurements involving construction not exceeding $150,000, which shall be known as the simplified school construction procurement program. At a minimum, the rules for a simplified construction procurement program shall require that:

(a) Each county school superintendent maintain a list of persons who desire to receive solicitations to bid on construction projects to which additions shall be permitted throughout the year.

(b) The list of persons be available for public inspection.

(c) A performance bond and a payment bond as required by this section be provided for contracts for construction by contractors.

(d) All bids for construction be opened at a public opening and the bids shall remain confidential until the public opening.

(e) All persons desiring to submit bids be treated equitably and the information related to each project be available to all eligible persons.

(f) Competition for construction projects under the simplified school construction procurement program be encouraged to the maximum extent possible. At a minimum, a school district shall submit information on each project to all persons listed with the county school superintendent by any school district within that county.

(g) A provision, covenant, clause or understanding in, collateral to or affecting a construction contract that makes the contract subject to the laws of another state or that requires any litigation, arbitration or other dispute resolution proceeding arising from the contract to be conducted in another state is against this state's public policy and is void and unenforceable.

3. The state board of education shall adopt rules for the procurement of goods and information services by school districts and charter schools using electronic, online bidding. The rules adopted by the state board shall include the use of reverse auctions and shall be consistent with the procurement practices prescribed in title 41, chapter 23, article 13, modifying as necessary those provisions and the rules adopted pursuant to that article that the state board determines are not appropriate for school districts and charter schools. Until the rules are adopted, school districts and charter schools may procure goods and information services pursuant to title 41, chapter 23, article 13 using the rules adopted by the department of administration in implementing that article.

4. The state board shall adopt rules for the procurement by school districts of any materials, services, goods, construction or construction services that ensure maximum practicable competition as prescribed in section 41‑2565 and shall require that a person:

(a) That contracts for or purchases any materials, services, goods, construction or construction services in a manner contrary to the rules adopted by the state board pursuant to this section is personally liable for the recovery of all public monies paid plus twenty percent of that amount and legal interest from the date of payment and all costs and damages arising out of the violation as prescribed in section 41‑2616.

(b) That intentionally or knowingly contracts for or purchases any materials, services, goods, construction or construction services pursuant to a scheme or artifice to avoid the rules adopted by the state board pursuant to this section is guilty of a class 4 felony as prescribed in section 41‑2616.

(c) That prepares procurement specifications may not receive any direct or indirect benefit from using those specifications.

(d) That serves on a selection committee for a procurement may not be a contractor or subcontractor under a contract awarded under the procurement or provide any specified professional services, construction, construction services, materials or other services under the contract. A person that serves on a selection committee for a procurement and that fails to disclose contact with a representative of a competing vendor or fails to provide required accurate information is subject to a civil penalty as prescribed in section 41‑2616.

5. The state board shall adopt rules requiring school districts to obtain and maintain a record of proof that a construction or construction services provider that has been awarded a contract with the school district, or school purchasing cooperative, has a valid license to practice in this state.

6. The auditor general shall review the proposed rules to determine whether the rules are consistent with the procurement practices prescribed in title 41, chapter 23 and any modifications are required to adapt the procedures for school districts.

7. If the auditor general approves the proposed rules, the auditor general shall notify the state board in writing and the state board shall adopt such rules.

8. If the auditor general objects to the proposed rules, the auditor general shall notify the state board of the objections in writing and the state board, in adopting the rules, shall conform the proposed rules to meet the objections of the auditor general or revise the proposed rules to which an objection has been made and submit the revisions to the auditor general for approval.

B. After the bids submitted in response to an invitation for bids are opened and the award is made or after the proposals or qualifications are submitted in response to a request for proposals or a request for qualifications and the award is made, the governing board shall make available for public inspection all information, all bids, proposals and qualifications submitted and all findings and other information considered in determining whose bid conforms to the invitation for bids and will be the most advantageous with respect to price, conformity to the specifications and other factors or whose proposal or qualifications are to be selected for the award, including the rationale for awarding a contract for any specified professional services, construction, construction services or materials to an entity selected from a qualified select bidders list or through a school purchasing cooperative. The invitation for bids, request for proposals or request for qualifications shall include a notice that all information and bids, proposals and qualifications submitted will be made available for public inspection. The rules adopted by the state board shall prohibit the use in connection with procurement of specifications in any way proprietary to one supplier unless the specification includes all of the following:

1. A statement of the reasons why no other specification is practicable.

2. A description of the essential characteristics of the specified product.

3. A statement specifically permitting an acceptable alternative product to be supplied.

C. A project or purchase may not be divided or sequenced into separate projects or purchases in order to avoid the limits prescribed by the state board under subsection A of this section.

D. A contract for the procurement of construction or construction services shall include a provision that provides for negotiations between the school district and the contractor for the recovery of damages related to expenses incurred by the contractor for a delay for which the school district is responsible, that is unreasonable under the circumstances and that was not within the contemplation of the parties to the contract. This subsection does not void any provision in the contract that requires notice of delays, provides for arbitration or any other procedure for settlement or provides for liquidated damages.

E. The auditor general may conduct discretionary reviews, investigations and audits of the financial and operational procurement activities of school districts, nonexempt charter schools and school purchasing cooperatives. The auditor general has final review and approval authority over all school district, nonexempt charter school and school purchasing cooperative audit contracts and any audit reports issued in accordance with this section. If the attorney general has reasonable cause to believe an employee of a school district or school purchasing cooperative, or an employee of an entity that has been awarded a contract by a school district or school purchasing cooperative, has engaged in, is engaging in or is about to engage in any practice or transaction that violates the rules adopted by the state board of education pursuant to this section, the attorney general may:

1. Require that person to file on forms prescribed by the attorney general a statement or report in writing and under oath as to all the facts and circumstances concerning a violation of the rules adopted by the state board pursuant to this section by that person and any other data and information deemed necessary by the attorney general.

2. Examine under oath any person in connection with a violation of the rules adopted by the state board pursuant to this section.

F. In addition to the requirements of sections 15‑914 and 15‑914.01, school districts, nonexempt charter schools and school purchasing cooperatives, in connection with any audit conducted by a certified public accountant, shall contract for a systematic review of purchasing practices using methodology consistent with sampling guidelines established by the auditor general. The auditor general shall consider cost when establishing guidelines pursuant to this subsection and to the extent possible shall attempt to minimize the cost of the review. The purpose of the review is to determine whether the school district, nonexempt charter school or school purchasing cooperative is in compliance with the procurement laws and applicable procurement rules of this state. A copy of the review shall be submitted on completion to the auditor general. The auditor general may conduct discretionary reviews of school districts, nonexempt charter schools and school purchasing cooperatives that are not required to contract for independent audits.

G. A school district school employee who has control over personnel actions may not take reprisal against a school district school employee for that employee's disclosure of information that is a matter of public concern, including a violation of this section, to a public body pursuant to title 38, chapter 3, article 9.

H. The attorney general or county attorney has jurisdiction to enforce this section. The attorney general or county attorney may seek relief for any violation of this section through an appropriate civil or criminal action in superior court, including an action to enjoin a threatened or pending violation of this section and including an action to enforce compliance with any request for documents made by the auditor general pursuant to this section.

I. The department of education shall enact policies and procedures for the acceptance and disposition of complaints from the public regarding school procurement practices and shall forward all school procurement complaints to the attorney general. Notwithstanding rules adopted by the state board, school districts shall not be required to prepare or submit an annual report on the benefits associated with the use of construction‑manager‑at‑risk, design‑build, qualified select bidders list and job‑order‑contracting methods.

J. The state board of education shall adopt, and the auditor general shall review, rules authorizing school districts to procure construction services by construction‑manager‑at‑risk, design‑build, qualified select bidders list and job‑order‑contracting methods of project delivery. The rules shall not require school districts to obtain bid security for the construction‑manager‑at‑risk method of project delivery.

K. A school district or charter school may evaluate United States general services administration contracts for materials and services. The governing board or governing body may authorize purchases under a current contract for materials or services without complying with the requirements of the procurement rules adopted by the state board of education if the governing board or governing body determines in writing that all of the following apply:

1. The price for materials or services is equal to or less than the contractor's current federal supply contract price with the general services administration.

2. The contractor has indicated in writing that the contractor is willing to extend the current federal supply contract pricing, terms and conditions to the school district or charter school.

3. The purchase order adequately identifies the federal supply contract on which the order is based.

4. The purchase contract is cost effective and is in the best interests of the school district or charter school.

L. Unless otherwise provided by law, multiterm contracts for materials or services and contracts for job‑order‑contracting construction services may be entered into if the duration of the contract and the conditions of renewal or extension, if any, are included in the invitation for bids or the request for proposals and if monies are available for the first fiscal period at the time the contract is executed. The duration of contracts for materials or services and contracts for job‑order‑contracting construction services are limited to no more than five years unless the governing board determines in writing before the procurement solicitation is issued that a contract of longer duration would be advantageous to the school district. Payment and performance obligations for succeeding fiscal periods are subject to the availability and appropriation of monies.

M. Notwithstanding the rules adopted by the state board of education, the maximum dollar amount of an individual job order for job‑order‑contracting construction services is $1,000,000 or a higher or lower amount prescribed by the governing board in a policy adopted in a public meeting held pursuant to title 38, chapter 3, article 3.1. Requirements shall not be artificially divided or fragmented in order to constitute a job order that satisfies the requirements of this subsection.

N. A person who supervises or participates in contracts, purchases, payments, claims or other financial transactions, or a person who supervises or participates in the planning, recommending, selecting or contracting for materials, services, goods, construction, or construction services of a school district or school purchasing cooperative is guilty of a class 6 felony if the person solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any personal gift or benefit with a value of $300 or more from a person or vendor that has secured or has taken steps to secure a contract, purchase, payment, claim or financial transaction with the school district or school purchasing cooperative. Soliciting, accepting or agreeing to accept any personal gift or benefit with a value of less than $300 is a class 1 misdemeanor. A gift or benefit does not include an item of nominal value such as a greeting card, t‑shirt, mug or pen.

O. Any person or vendor that has secured or has taken steps to secure a contract, purchase, payment, claim or financial transaction with a school district or school purchasing cooperative that offers, confers or agrees to confer any personal gift or benefit with a value of $300 or more on a person who supervises or participates in contracts, purchases, payments, claims or other financial transactions, or on a person who supervises or participates in planning, recommending, selecting or contracting for materials, services, goods, construction or construction services of a school district or school purchasing cooperative, is guilty of a class 6 felony. Offering, conferring or agreeing to confer any personal gift or benefit with a value of less than $300 is a class 1 misdemeanor. A gift or benefit does not include an item of nominal value such as a greeting card, t‑shirt, mug or pen.

P. Any person or vendor convicted under subsection O of this section may be suspended for up to six months or barred for up to three years by the director of the department of administration from doing business with school districts and school purchasing cooperatives. The director of the department of administration shall adopt rules, including administrative procedures, to suspend or bar any person from consideration for award of contracts pursuant to this section.

Q. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Gift or benefit" means a payment, distribution, expenditure, advance, deposit or donation of monies, any intangible personal property or any kind of tangible personal or real property. Gift or benefit does not include either:

(a) Food or beverage.

(b) Expenses or sponsorships relating to a special event or function to which individuals listed in subsection N of this section are invited.

2. "Nonexempt charter school" means a charter school that is not exempted from procurement laws pursuant to section 15‑183, subsection E, paragraph 6.

3. "School purchasing cooperative" means an entity that is engaged in cooperative purchasing as defined in section 41‑2631.

4. "Total cost" means the cost of all materials and services, including the cost of labor performed by employees of the school district, for all construction as provided in subsection A of this section. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 28-6924, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE28-6924. Progress payments; changed or additional work; attorney fees; definitions

A. The following apply to the department's highway construction projects awarded pursuant to section 28‑6923, 28‑7365 or 28‑7366:

1. Progress payments may be made by the department to the contractor on the basis of a duly certified and approved estimate of the work performed during a preceding period of time. The progress payments shall be paid on or before fourteen days after the estimate of the work is certified and approved. The estimate of the work shall be deemed received by the department on submission to the person designated by the department for the submission, review or approval of the estimate of the work. An estimate of the work submitted under this section shall be deemed approved and certified after seven days from after the date of submission unless before that time the department prepares and issues a specific written finding detailing those items in the estimate of the work that are not approved and certified under the contract. The department may withhold an amount from the progress payment that is sufficient to pay the expenses the department reasonably expects to incur in correcting the deficiency set forth in the written finding. On completion and acceptance of separate divisions of the contract on which the price is stated separately in the contract, payment may be made in full including retained percentages, less deductions, unless a substitute security has been provided.

2. The contractor shall pay to the contractor's subcontractors or material suppliers and each subcontractor shall pay to the subcontractor's subcontractors or material suppliers, within seven days of after receipt of each progress payment, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, the respective amounts allowed the contractor or subcontractor on account of the work performed by the contractor's or subcontractor's subcontractors or material suppliers, to the extent of each subcontractor's or material supplier's interest in the amount. These payments to subcontractors or material suppliers shall be based on payments received pursuant to this section. Any diversion by the contractor or subcontractor of payment received for work performed on a contract or failure to reasonably account for the application or use of the payments constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by the registrar of contractors. A subcontractor or material supplier shall notify the registrar of contractors and the department in writing of any payment less than the amount of percentage approved for the class or item of work as set forth in this section.

3. A subcontractor may notify the department in writing requesting that the subcontractor be notified by the department in writing within five days after payment of each progress payment that is made to the contractor. The subcontractor's request under this paragraph remains in effect for the duration of the subcontractor's work on the project.

4. If any payment to a contractor is delayed after the date due, interest shall be paid at the rate of one per cent percent per month or a fraction of the month on the unpaid balance.

5. If any periodic or final payment to a subcontractor or material supplier is delayed by more than seven days after receipt of the periodic or final payment by the contractor or subcontractor, the contractor or subcontractor shall pay the subcontractor or material supplier interest, beginning on the eighth day, at the rate of one per cent percent per month or a fraction of a month on the unpaid balance.

B. A contract for construction shall not materially alter the rights of any contractor, subcontractor or material supplier to receive prompt and timely payment as provided under this section.

C. Nothing in This section prevents does not prevent a contractor or subcontractor, at the time of application and certification to the department or contractor, from withholding the application and certification to the department or contractor for payment to the subcontractor or material supplier for unsatisfactory job progress, defective construction work or materials not remedied, disputed work or materials, third party third-party claims filed or reasonable evidence that a claim will be filed, failure of a subcontractor to make timely payments for labor, equipment and materials, damage to the contractor or another subcontractor, reasonable evidence that the subcontract cannot be completed for the unpaid balance of the subcontract amount or a reasonable amount for retention that does not exceed the annual percentage retained by the department.

D. This section creates no duty of the department to a subcontractor or material supplier other than the duty to notify pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 of this section and creates no cause of action in favor of a subcontractor or material supplier against this state, the department or any state employee or agent.

E. If the department directs the contractor to perform changed or additional work in accordance with the construction contract, and pending a final determination of the total cost to be paid for the changed or additional work, the contractor may request payment for changed or additional work that the contractor completed during the preceding calendar month in monthly pay estimates based on the costs the contractor incurred to perform that work. The person designated in the construction contract to certify and approve the monthly payment estimate will make an interim determination for purposes of approval for payment of those costs and certify for payment the amount that that person determines to be reasonably justified. Either party may disagree with the interim determination and may assert a claim in accordance with the terms of the construction contract.

F. If the department directs the contractor to perform changed or additional work in accordance with the construction contract and if the contractor directs the subcontractor to perform the changed or additional work in accordance with the agreement between the contractor and subcontractor, and pending a final determination of the total cost to be paid for the changed or additional work, the subcontractor may request payment for the changed or additional work that the subcontractor completed during the preceding calendar month in monthly pay estimates based on the costs the subcontractor incurred to perform that work. Either party may disagree with the interim determination and may assert a claim in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the contractor and subcontractor.

g. In any action or arbitration brought pursuant to this section, the successful party shall be awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs.

h. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Construction contract" means a written or oral agreement relating to the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, moving or demolition of any building, structure or improvement or relating to the excavation of or other development or improvement to land.

2. "Contractor":

(a) Means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other organization, or a combination of any of them, that has a direct contract with the department to perform work under a construction contract.

(b) Does not include an agricultural improvement district formed pursuant to title 48, chapter 17 or an electric cooperative formed pursuant to title 10, chapter 19, article 2 or 4.

3. "Subcontractor":

(a) Means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other organization, or a combination of any of them, that has a direct contract with a contractor or another subcontractor to perform a portion of the work under a construction contract.

(b) Does not include an agricultural improvement district formed pursuant to title 48, chapter 17 or an electric cooperative formed pursuant to title 10, chapter 19, article 2 or 4.

4. "Work" means the labor, materials, equipment and services to be provided by a contractor or subcontractor under a construction contract. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Section 34-221, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE34-221. Contract with successful bidder; payments to contractor and design professional; security; recovery of damages for delay; progress payments; changed or additional work; attorney fees; definitions

A. The agent shall enter into a contract with the lowest responsible bidder whose proposal is satisfactory, except that in determining the lowest responsible bidder under this section, the board of supervisors may consider, for no more than five projects, the time of completion proposed by the bidder, the value over time of completed services and facilities and the value over time of interrupted services if the board determines that this procedure will serve the public interest by providing a substantial fiscal benefit or that the use of the traditional awarding of contracts is not practicable for meeting desired construction standards or delivery schedules and if the formula for considering the time of completion is specifically stated in the bidding information.

B. In determining the lowest responsible bidder for a horizontal construction project using the design‑bid‑build project delivery method, an agent may consider the time of completion proposed by the bidder if the agent determines that this procedure will serve the public interest by providing a substantial fiscal benefit or that the use of the traditional awarding of contracts is not practicable for meeting desired construction standards or delivery schedules and if the formula for considering the time of completion is specifically stated in the bidding information.

C. The terms of a contract entered into pursuant to subsection A of this section shall include the following items:

1. A surety company bond or bonds as required under this article.

2. The owner by mutual agreement may make progress payments on contracts of less than ninety days and shall make monthly progress payments on all other contracts as provided for in this paragraph. Payment to the contractor on the basis of a duly certified and approved estimate of the work performed during the preceding calendar month under such a contract may include payment for material and equipment, but to ensure the proper performance of such contract, the owner shall retain ten percent of the amount of each estimate until final completion and acceptance of all material, equipment and work covered by the contract. An estimate of the work submitted shall be deemed approved and certified for payment after seven days from after the date of submission unless before that time the owner or owner's agent prepares and issues a specific written finding setting forth those items in detail in the estimate of the work that are not approved for payment under the contract. The owner may withhold an amount from the progress payment sufficient to pay the expenses the owner reasonably expects to incur in correcting the deficiency set forth in the written finding. The progress payments shall be paid on or before fourteen days after the estimate of the work is certified and approved. The estimate of the work shall be deemed received by the owner on submission to any person designated by the owner for the submission, review or approval of the estimate of the work.

3. When the contract is fifty percent completed, one‑half of the amount retained including any securities substituted under paragraph 5 of this subsection shall be paid to the contractor upon on the contractor's request if the contractor is making satisfactory progress on the contract and there is no specific cause or claim requiring a greater amount to be retained. After the contract is fifty percent completed, no more than five percent of the amount of any subsequent progress payments made under the contract may be retained if the contractor is making satisfactory progress on the project, except that if at any time the owner determines satisfactory progress is not being made, ten percent retention shall be reinstated for all progress payments made under the contract subsequent to the determination.

4. Upon On completion and acceptance of each separate building, public work or other division of the contract on which the price is stated separately in the contract, except as qualified in paragraph 5 of this subsection, payment may be made in full, including retained percentages thereon, less authorized deductions. In preparing estimates, the material and equipment delivered on the site to be incorporated in the job shall be taken into consideration in determining the estimated value by the architect or engineer.

5. Ten percent of all estimates shall be retained by the agent as a guarantee for complete performance of the contract, to be paid to the contractor within sixty days after completion or filing notice of completion of the contract. Retention of payments by a purchasing agency longer than sixty days after final completion and acceptance requires a specific written finding by the purchasing agency of the reasons justifying the delay in payment. No A purchasing agency may not retain any monies after sixty days that are in excess of the amount necessary to pay the expenses the purchasing agency reasonably expects to incur in order to pay or discharge the expenses determined by the purchasing agency in the finding justifying the retention of monies. In lieu of the retention provided in this section, the agent, at the option of the contractor, shall accept as a substitute an assignment of time certificates of deposit of banks licensed by this state, securities of or guaranteed by the United States of America, securities of this state, securities of counties, municipalities and school districts within this state or shares of savings and loan associations authorized to transact business in this state, in an amount equal to ten percent of all estimates, which shall be retained by the agent as a guarantee for complete performance of the contract. In the event If the agent accepts substitute security as described in this paragraph for the ten percent retention, the contractor shall be is entitled to receive all interest or income earned by such security as it accrues and all such security in lieu of retention shall be returned to the contractor by the agent within sixty days after final completion and acceptance of all material, equipment and work covered by the contract if the contractor has furnished the agent satisfactory receipts for all labor and material billed and waivers of liens from any and all persons holding claims against the work. In no event shall The agent may not accept a time certificate of deposit of a bank or shares of a savings and loan association in lieu of the retention specified unless accompanied by a signed and acknowledged waiver of the bank or savings and loan association of any right or power to setoff against either the agent or the contractor in relationship to the certificates or shares assigned.

6. In any instance where If the agent has accepted substitute security as provided in paragraph 5 of this subsection, any subcontractor undertaking to perform any part of such public work shall be is entitled to provide substitute security to the contractor upon on terms and conditions similar to those described in paragraph 5 of this subsection, and such security shall be in lieu of any retention under the subcontract.

D. No A contract for construction or design professional services may not materially alter the rights of any contractor, subcontractor, design professional or material supplier to receive prompt and timely payment required to be included in the contract under subsection C of this section.

E. The contract shall be signed by the agent and the contractor.

F. A contract for the procurement of construction shall include a provision that provides for negotiations between the agent and the contractor for the recovery of damages related to expenses incurred by the contractor for a delay for which the agent is responsible, which that is unreasonable under the circumstances and which that was not within the contemplation of the parties to the contract. This section shall not be construed to does not void any provision in the contract that requires notice of delays or provides for arbitration or other procedure for settlement or provides for liquidated damages.

G. The contractor shall pay to the contractor's subcontractors, design professionals or material suppliers and each subcontractor shall pay to the subcontractor's subcontractor, design professional or material supplier, within seven days of after receipt of each progress payment, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, the respective amounts allowed the contractor, subcontractor or design professional on account of the work performed by subordinate subcontractors or design professionals, to the extent of each such subcontractor's or design professional's interest therein, except that no a contract for construction may not materially alter the rights of any contractor, subcontractor, design professional or material supplier to receive prompt and timely payment as provided under this section. Such The payments to subcontractors, design professionals or material suppliers shall be based on payments received pursuant to this section. Any diversion by the contractor or subcontractor of payments received for work performed on a contract, or failure to reasonably account for the application or use of such payments, constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by the registrar of contractors. The subcontractor or material supplier shall notify the registrar of contractors and the purchasing agency in writing of any payment less than the amount or percentage approved for the class or item of work as set forth in this section.

H. A subcontractor or design professional may notify the purchasing agency in writing requesting that the subcontractor or design professional be notified by the purchasing agency in writing within five days from after payment of each progress payment that is made to the contractor. The subcontractor's or design professional's request remains in effect for the duration of the subcontractor's or design professional's work on the project.

I. Nothing in This chapter prevents does not prevent the contractor or subcontractor, at the time of application and certification to the owner or contractor, from withholding such application and certification to the owner or contractor for payment to the subcontractor, design professional or material supplier for unsatisfactory job progress, defective design professional services or construction work or materials not remedied, disputed design professional services, work or materials, third-party claims filed or reasonable evidence that a claim will be filed, failure of a subcontractor or design professional to make timely payments for design professional services, labor, equipment and materials, damage to the contractor or another subcontractor or design professional, reasonable evidence that the subcontract or design professional service contract cannot be completed for the unpaid balance of the subcontract or design professional service contract sum or a reasonable amount for retention that does not exceed the actual percentage retained by the owner.

J. If any payment to a contractor is delayed after the date due, interest shall be paid at the rate of one percent per month or fraction of a month on such unpaid balance as may be due.

K. If any periodic or final payment to a subcontractor or design professional is delayed by more than seven days after receipt of the periodic or final payment by the contractor or subcontractor, the contractor or subcontractor shall pay a subordinate subcontractor, design professional or material supplier interest, beginning on the eighth day, at the rate of one percent per month or a fraction of a month on such unpaid balance as may be due.

L. If the owner directs the contractor to perform changed or additional work in accordance with the construction contract, and pending a final determination of the total cost to be paid for the changed or additional work, the contractor may request payment for changed or additional work that the contractor completed during the preceding calendar month in monthly pay estimates based on the costs the contractor incurred to perform that work. The person designated in the construction contract to certify and approve the monthly payment estimate will make an interim determination for purposes of approval for payment of those costs and certify for payment the amount that that person determines to be reasonably justified. Either party may disagree with the interim determination and may assert a claim in accordance with the terms of the construction contract.

M. If the owner directs the contractor to perform changed or additional work in accordance with the construction contract and if the contractor directs the subcontractor to perform the changed or additional work in accordance with the agreement between the contractor and subcontractor, and pending a final determination of the total cost to be paid for the changed or additional work, the subcontractor may request payment for the changed or additional work that the subcontractor completed during the preceding calendar month in monthly pay estimates based on the costs the subcontractor incurred to perform that work. Either party may disagree with the interim determination and may assert a claim in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the contractor and subcontractor.

n. In any action or arbitration brought pursuant to this section, the successful party shall be awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs.

L. o. For the purposes of this section:

2. "Contractor":

(a) Means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other organization, or a combination of any of them, that has a direct contract with the owner to perform work under a construction contract.

(b) Does not include an agricultural improvement district formed pursuant to title 48, chapter 17 or an electric cooperative formed pursuant to title 10, chapter 19, article 2 or 4.

1. 3. "Design professional service contract" means a written agreement relating to the planning, design, construction administration, study, evaluation, consulting, inspection, surveying, mapping, material sampling, testing or other professional, scientific or technical services furnished in connection with any actual or proposed study, planning, survey, environmental remediation, construction, improvement, alteration, repair, maintenance, relocation, moving, demolition or excavation of a structure, street or roadway, appurtenance, facility, development or other improvement to land.

2. 4. "Design professional services" means architect services, engineer services, land surveying services, geologist services or landscape architect services or any combination of those services performed by or under the supervision of a design professional or an employee or subconsultant of the design professional.

3. 5. "Subconsultant" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other organization, or a combination of any of them, that has a direct contract with a design professional or another subconsultant to perform a portion of the work under a design professional service contract.

6. "Subcontractor":

(b) Does not include an agricultural improvement district formed pursuant to title 48, chapter 17 or an electric cooperative formed pursuant to title 10, chapter 19, article 2 or 4.

7. "Work" means the labor, materials, equipment and services to be provided by a contractor or subcontractor under a construction contract. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4. Section 34-609, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE34-609. Contracts for construction‑manager‑at‑risk, design‑build and job‑order‑contracting construction services; payments to contractor; security; recovery of damages by contractor for delay; progress payments; changed or additional work; attorney fees; definitions

A. An agent shall enter into a contract with the selected person or firm for construction‑manager‑at‑risk construction services, design‑build construction services or job‑order‑contracting construction services.

B. The terms of a contract entered into pursuant to subsection A shall include the following items:

1. A surety company bond or bonds as required by this chapter.

2. The owner by mutual agreement may make progress payments on contracts of less than ninety days and shall make monthly progress payments on all other contracts as provided for in this paragraph. Payment to the contractor on the basis of a duly certified and approved estimate of the work performed during the preceding calendar month under the contract may include payment for material and equipment, but to ensure the proper performance of the contract, the owner shall retain ten per cent percent of the amount of each estimate until final completion and acceptance of all material, equipment and work covered by the contract. An estimate of the work submitted shall be deemed approved and certified for payment after seven days from after the date of submission unless before that time the owner or owner's agent prepares and issues a specific written finding setting forth those items in detail in the estimate of the work that are not approved for payment under the contract. The owner may withhold an amount from the progress payment sufficient to pay the expenses the owner reasonably expects to incur in correcting the deficiency set forth in the written finding. The progress payments shall be paid on or before fourteen days after the estimate of the work is certified and approved. The estimate of the work shall be deemed received by the owner on submission to any person designated by the owner for the submission, review or approval of the estimate of the work.

3. When the contract is fifty per cent percent completed, one‑half of the amount retained including any securities substituted under paragraph 5 of this subsection shall be paid to the contractor on the contractor's request provided the contractor is making satisfactory progress on the contract and there is no specific cause or claim requiring a greater amount to be retained. After the contract is fifty per cent percent completed, no more than five per cent percent of the amount of any subsequent progress payments made under the contract may be retained providing the contractor is making satisfactory progress on the project, except that if at any time the owner determines satisfactory progress is not being made, ten per cent percent retention shall be reinstated for all progress payments made under the contract after the determination.

4. On completion and acceptance of each separate building, public work or other division of the contract on which the price is stated separately in the contract, except as qualified in paragraph 5 of this subsection, payment may be made in full, including retained percentages, less authorized deductions. In preparing estimates, the material and equipment delivered on the site to be incorporated in the job shall be taken into consideration in determining the estimated value by the architect, engineer or other person, as specified in the contract.

5. Ten per cent percent of all estimates shall be retained by the agent as a guarantee for complete performance of the contract, to be paid to the contractor within sixty days after completion or filing notice of completion of the contract. Retention of payments by an agent longer than sixty days after final completion and acceptance requires a specific written finding by the agent of the reasons justifying the delay in payment. No An agent may not retain any monies after sixty days that are in excess of the amount necessary to pay the expenses the agent reasonably expects to incur in order to pay or discharge the expenses determined by the agent in the finding justifying the retention of monies. In lieu of the retention provided in this section, the agent, at the option of the contractor, shall accept as a substitute an assignment of time certificates of deposit of banks licensed by this state, securities of or guaranteed by the United States of America, securities of this state, securities of counties, municipalities and school districts within this state or shares of savings and loan associations authorized to transact business in this state, in an amount equal to ten per cent percent of all estimates that are retained by the agent as a guarantee for complete performance of the contract. If the agent accepts substitute security as described in this paragraph for the ten per cent percent retention, the contractor is entitled to receive all interest or income earned by this security as it accrues and all such security in lieu of retention shall be returned to the contractor by the agent within sixty days after final completion and acceptance of all material, equipment and work covered by the contract if the contractor has furnished the agent satisfactory receipts for all labor and material billed and waivers of liens from any and all persons holding claims against the work. In no event shall The agent may not accept a time certificate of deposit of a bank or shares of a savings and loan association in lieu of the retention specified unless accompanied by a signed and acknowledged waiver of the bank or savings and loan association of any right or power to setoff against either the agent or the contractor in relationship to the certificates or shares assigned.

6. In any instance where If the agent has accepted substitute security as provided in paragraph 5 of this subsection, any subcontractor undertaking to perform any part of this public work is entitled to provide substitute security to the contractor on terms and conditions similar to those described in paragraph 5 of this subsection, and this security is in lieu of any retention under the subcontract.

7. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 through 6 of this subsection, any other provision of this section and any other law, there is no retention for job‑order‑contracting construction services contracts and the agent may elect to have no retention for construction-manager-at-risk and design-build construction services contracts.

C. No A contract for construction services may not materially alter the rights of any contractor, subcontractor or material supplier to receive prompt and timely payment required to be included in the contract under subsection B of this section.

D. The contract shall be signed by the agent and the contractor.

E. A contract for the procurement of construction services shall include a provision that provides for negotiations between the agent and the contractor for the recovery of damages related to expenses incurred by the contractor for a delay for which the agent is responsible, that is unreasonable under the circumstances and that was not within the contemplation of the parties to the contract. This section shall not be construed to does not void any provision in the contract that requires notice of delays, provides for arbitration or other procedures for settlement or provides for liquidated damages.

F. The contractor shall pay to the contractor's subcontractors or material suppliers and each subcontractor shall pay to the subcontractor's subcontractor or material supplier, within seven days of after receipt of each progress payment, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, the respective amounts allowed the contractor or subcontractor on account of the work performed by the subcontractors, to the extent of each subcontractor's interest, except that no a contract for construction services may not materially alter the rights of any contractor, subcontractor or material supplier to receive prompt and timely payment as provided under this section. The payments to subcontractors or material suppliers shall be based on payments received pursuant to this section. Any diversion by the contractor or subcontractor of payments received for work performed on a contract, or failure to reasonably account for the application or use of those payments, constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by the registrar of contractors. The subcontractor or material supplier shall notify the registrar of contractors and the agent in writing of any payment less than the amount or percentage approved for the class or item of work as set forth in this section.

G. A subcontractor may notify the agent in writing requesting that the subcontractor be notified by the agent in writing within five days from after payment of each progress payment that is made to the contractor. The subcontractor's request remains in effect for the duration of the subcontractor's work on the project.

H. Nothing in This chapter prevents does not prevent the contractor or subcontractor, at the time of application and certification to the owner or contractor, from withholding the application and certification to the owner or contractor for payment to the subcontractor or material supplier for unsatisfactory job progress, defective construction work or materials not remedied, disputed work or materials, third party third‑party claims filed or reasonable evidence that a claim will be filed, failure of a subcontractor to make timely payments for labor, equipment and materials, damage to the contractor or another subcontractor, reasonable evidence that the subcontract cannot be completed for the unpaid balance of the subcontract sum or a reasonable amount for retention that does not exceed the actual percentage retained by the owner.

I. If any payment to a contractor is delayed after the date due interest shall be paid at the rate of one per cent percent per month or fraction of a month on the unpaid balance as may be due.

J. If any periodic or final payment to a subcontractor is delayed by more than seven days after receipt of the periodic or final payment by the contractor or subcontractor, the contractor or subcontractor shall pay the subcontractor or material supplier interest, beginning on the eighth day, at the rate of one per cent percent per month or fraction of a month on the unpaid balance as may be due.

K. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, this section applies only to amounts payable in a construction services contract for construction and does not apply to amounts payable in a construction services contract for design services, preconstruction services, finance services, maintenance services, operations services and other related services.

l. If the owner directs the contractor to perform changed or additional work in accordance with the construction contract, and pending a final determination of the total cost to be paid for the changed or additional work, the contractor may request payment for changed or additional work that the contractor completed during the preceding calendar month in monthly pay estimates based on the costs the contractor incurred to perform that work. The person designated in the construction contract to certify and approve the monthly payment estimate will make an interim determination for purposes of approval for payment of those costs and certify for payment the amount that that person determines to be reasonably justified. Either party may disagree with the interim determination and may assert a claim in accordance with the terms of the construction contract.

n. In any action or arbitration brought pursuant to this section, the successful party shall be awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs.

o. For the purposes of this section:

2. "Contractor":

(b) Does not include an agricultural improvement district formed pursuant to title 48, chapter 17 or an electric cooperative formed pursuant to title 10, chapter 19, article 2 or 4.

3. "Subcontractor":

(b) Does not include an agricultural improvement district formed pursuant to title 48, chapter 17 or an electric cooperative formed pursuant to title 10, chapter 19, article 2 or 4.

4. "Work" means the labor, materials, equipment and services to be provided by a contractor or subcontractor under a construction contract. END_STATUTE

Sec. 5. Section 41-2501, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE41-2501. Applicability

A. This chapter applies only to procurements initiated after January 1, 1985 unless the parties agree to its application to procurements initiated before that date.

B. This chapter applies to every expenditure of public monies, including federal assistance monies except as otherwise specified in section 41‑2637, by this state, acting through a state governmental unit as defined in this chapter, under any contract, except that this chapter does not apply to either grants as defined in this chapter, or contracts between this state and its political subdivisions or other governments, except as provided in chapter 24 of this title and in article 10 of this chapter. This chapter also applies to the disposal of state materials. This chapter and rules adopted under this chapter do not prevent any state governmental unit or political subdivision from complying with the terms of any grant, gift, bequest or cooperative agreement.

C. All political subdivisions and other local public agencies of this state may adopt all or any part of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

D. Notwithstanding any other law, sections 41‑2517 and 41‑2546 apply to any agency as defined in section 41‑1001, including the office of the governor.

E. The Arizona board of regents and the legislative and judicial branches of state government are not subject to this chapter except as prescribed in subsection F of this section.

F. The Arizona board of regents and the judicial branch shall adopt rules prescribing procurement policies and procedures for themselves and institutions under their jurisdiction. The rules must follow the prompt payment requirements prescribed in sections 41-2576 and 41-2577 and must be substantially equivalent to the policies and procedures prescribed in this chapter.

G. The Arizona state lottery commission is exempt from this chapter for procurement relating to the design and operation of the lottery or purchase of lottery equipment, tickets and related materials. The executive director of the Arizona state lottery commission shall adopt rules substantially equivalent to the policies and procedures in this chapter for procurement relating to the design and operation of the lottery or purchase of lottery equipment, tickets or related materials. All other procurement shall be as prescribed by this chapter.

H. The Arizona health care cost containment system administration is exempt from this chapter for provider contracts pursuant to section 36‑2904, subsection A and contracts for goods and services, including program contractor contracts pursuant to title 36, chapter 29, articles 2 and 3 and contracts with regional behavioral health authorities pursuant to title 36, chapter 34. All other procurement, including contracts for the statewide administrator of the program pursuant to section 36‑2903, subsection B, shall be as prescribed by this chapter.

I. Arizona correctional industries is exempt from this chapter for purchases of raw materials, components and supplies that are used in the manufacture or production of goods or services for sale entered into pursuant to section 41‑1622. All other procurement shall be as prescribed by this chapter.

J. The state transportation board and the director of the department of transportation are exempt from this chapter other than sections 41‑2517 and 41‑2586 and are subject to title 28, chapter 20 and 2 Code of Federal Regulations section 200.317 for the procurement of the following:

1. All items of construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, preservation or improvement undertaken on highway infrastructure.

2. Engineering services and any other work or activity to carry out engineering services related to highway infrastructure.

3. Right‑of‑way services related to land titles, appraisals, real property acquisitions, relocation services, property management and facility design.

4. Any other construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, preservation or improvement work or activity that is required pursuant to title 28, chapter 20.

K. The Arizona highways magazine is exempt from this chapter for contracts for the production, promotion, distribution and sale of the magazine and related products and for contracts for sole source creative works entered into pursuant to section 28‑7314, subsection A, paragraph 5. All other procurement shall be as prescribed by this chapter.

L. The secretary of state is exempt from this chapter for contracts entered into pursuant to section 41‑1012 to publish and sell the administrative code. All other procurement shall be as prescribed by this chapter.

M. This chapter is not applicable to contracts for professional witnesses if the purpose of such contracts is to provide for professional services or testimony relating to an existing or probable judicial proceeding in which this state is or may become a party or to contract for special investigative services for law enforcement purposes.

N. The head of any state governmental unit, in relation to any contract exempted by this section from this chapter, has the same authority to adopt rules, procedures or policies as is delegated to the director pursuant to this chapter.

O. Agreements negotiated by legal counsel representing this state in settlement of litigation or threatened litigation are exempt from this chapter.

P. This chapter is not applicable to contracts entered into by the department of economic security:

1. With a provider licensed or certified by an agency of this state to provide child day care services.

2. With area agencies on aging created pursuant to the older Americans act of 1965 (P.L. 89‑73; 79 Stat. 218; 42 United States Code sections 3001 through 3058ff).

3. For services pursuant to title 36, chapter 29, article 2.

4. With an eligible entity as defined by Public Law 105‑285, section 673(1)(A)(i), as amended, for designated community services block grant program monies and any other monies given to the eligible entity that accomplishes the purpose of Public Law 105‑285, section 672.

Q. The Arizona health care cost containment system may not require that persons with whom it contracts follow this chapter for the purposes of subcontracts entered into for the provision of the following:

1. Mental health services pursuant to section 36‑189, subsection B.

2. Services for the seriously mentally ill pursuant to title 36, chapter 5, article 10.

3. Drug and alcohol services pursuant to section 36‑141.

R. The department of health services may not require that persons with whom it contracts follow this chapter for the purpose of subcontracts entered into for the provision of domestic violence services pursuant to title 36, chapter 30, article 1.

S. The department of health services is exempt from this chapter for contracts for services of physicians at the Arizona state hospital.

T. Contracts for goods and services approved by the board of trustees of the public safety personnel retirement system are exempt from this chapter.

U. The Arizona department of agriculture is exempt from this chapter with respect to contracts for private labor and equipment to effect cotton or cotton stubble plow‑up pursuant to rules adopted under title 3, chapter 2, article 1.

V. The Arizona state parks board is exempt from this chapter for purchases of guest supplies and items for resale such as food, linens, gift items, sundries, furniture, china, glassware and utensils for the facilities located in the Tonto natural bridge state park.

W. The Arizona state parks board is exempt from this chapter for the purchase, production, promotion, distribution and sale of publications, souvenirs and sundry items obtained and produced for resale.

X. The Arizona state schools for the deaf and the blind are exempt from this chapter for the purchase of textbooks and when purchasing products through a cooperative that is organized and operates in accordance with state law if such products are not available on a statewide contract and are related to the operation of the schools or are products for which special discounts are offered for educational institutions.

Y. Expenditures of monies in the morale, welfare and recreational fund established by section 26‑153 are exempt from this chapter.

Z. Notwithstanding section 41‑2534, the director of the state department of corrections may contract with local medical providers in counties with a population of less than four hundred thousand persons for the following purposes:

1. To acquire hospital and professional medical services for inmates who are incarcerated in state department of corrections facilities that are located in those counties.

2. To ensure the availability of emergency medical services to inmates in all counties by contracting with the closest medical facility that offers emergency treatment and stabilization.

AA. The department of environmental quality is exempt from this chapter for contracting for procurements relating to the water quality assurance revolving fund program established pursuant to title 49, chapter 2, article 5. The department shall engage in a source selection process that is similar to the procedures prescribed by this chapter. The department may contract for remedial actions with a single selection process. The exclusive remedy for disputes or claims relating to contracting pursuant to this subsection is as prescribed by article 9 of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to that article. All other procurement by the department shall be as prescribed by this chapter.

BB. The motor vehicle division of the department of transportation is exempt from this chapter for third‑party authorizations pursuant to title 28, chapter 13, only if all of the following conditions exist:

1. The division does not pay any public monies to an authorized third party.

2. Exclusivity is not granted to an authorized third party.

3. The director has complied with the requirements prescribed in title 28, chapter 13 in selecting an authorized third party.

CC. This section does not exempt third‑party authorizations pursuant to title 28, chapter 13 from any other applicable law.

DD. The state forester is exempt from this chapter for purchases and contracts relating to wildland fire suppression and pre‑positioning equipment resources and for other activities related to combating wildland fires and other unplanned risk activities, including fire, flood, earthquake, wind and hazardous material responses. All other procurement by the state forester shall be as prescribed by this chapter.

EE. The cotton research and protection council is exempt from this chapter for procurements.

FF. The Arizona commerce authority is exempt from this chapter, except article 10 for the purpose of cooperative purchases. The authority shall adopt policies, procedures and practices, in consultation with the department of administration, that are similar to and based on the policies and procedures prescribed by this chapter for the purpose of increased public confidence, fair and equitable treatment of all persons engaged in the process and fostering broad competition while accomplishing flexibility to achieve the authority's statutory requirements. The authority shall make its policies, procedures and practices available to the public. The authority may exempt specific expenditures from the policies, procedures and practices.

GG. The Arizona exposition and state fair board is exempt from this chapter for contracts for professional entertainment.

HH. This chapter does not apply to the purchase of water, gas or electric utilities.

II. This chapter does not apply to professional certifications, professional memberships and conference registrations.

JJ. The department of gaming is exempt from this chapter for problem gambling treatment services contracts with licensed behavioral health professionals.

KK. This chapter does not apply to contracts for credit reporting services.

LL. This chapter does not apply to contracts entered into by the department of child safety:

1. With a provider of family foster care pursuant to section 8‑503.

2. With an eligible entity as defined by Public Law 105‑285, section 673(1)(A)(i), as amended, for designated community services block grant program monies and any other monies given to the eligible entity that accomplishes the purpose of Public Law 105‑285, section 672.

3. For services pursuant to title 36, chapter 29, article 1 and as set forth in the approved medicaid state plan.

MM. This chapter does not apply to contracts entered into by the department of economic security with a financial institution to serve as a program manager and depository under section 46‑903. END_STATUTE

Sec. 6. Section 41-2577, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE41-2577. Progress payments; changed or additional work; attorney fees; definitions

A. Progress payments may be made by this state to the contractor on the basis of a duly certified and approved estimate of the work performed during a preceding period of time as set by rule, except that a percentage of all estimates shall be retained as provided in section 41‑2576. The progress payments shall be paid on or before fourteen days after the estimate of the work is certified and approved. The estimate of the work shall be deemed received by the owner on submission to any person designated by the owner for the submission, review or approval of the estimate of the work. An estimate of the work submitted under this section shall be deemed approved and certified after seven days from after the date of submission unless before that time the owner or owner's agent prepares and issues a specific written finding detailing those items in the estimate of the work that are not approved and certified under the contract or design professional service contract. The owner may withhold an amount from the progress payment sufficient to pay the expenses the owner reasonably expects to incur in correcting the deficiency set forth in the written finding. On completion and acceptance of separate divisions of the contract or design professional service contract on which the price is stated separately in the contract or design professional service contract, payment may be made in full including retained percentages, less deductions, unless a substitute security has been provided pursuant to section 41‑2576. No A contract for construction or design professional services may not materially alter the rights of any contractor, subcontractor, design professional or material supplier to receive prompt and timely payment as provided under this section.

B. The contractor shall pay to the contractor's subcontractors, design professionals or material suppliers and each subcontractor shall pay to the subcontractor's subcontractor, design professional or material supplier, within seven days of after receipt of each progress payment, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, the respective amounts allowed the contractor, subcontractor or design professional on account of the work performed by the contractor's or subcontractor's subcontractors or design professionals, to the extent of each such subcontractor's or design professional's interest therein, except that no a contract for construction may not materially alter the rights of any contractor, subcontractor, design professional or material supplier to receive prompt and timely payment as provided under this section. These payments to subcontractors, design professionals or material suppliers shall be based on payments received pursuant to this section. Any diversion by the contractor, subcontractor or design professional of payments received for work performed on a contract, or failure to reasonably account for the application or use of such payments, constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by the registrar of contractors. The subcontractor, design professional or material supplier shall notify the registrar of contractors and the purchasing agency in writing of any payment less than the amount or percentage approved for the class or item of work or design professional services as set forth in this section.

C. A subcontractor or design professional may notify the purchasing agency in writing requesting that the subcontractor or design professional be notified by the purchasing agency in writing within five days from after payment of each progress payment that is made to the contractor. The subcontractor's or design professional's request remains in effect for the duration of the subcontractor's or design professional's work on the project.

D. Nothing in This chapter prevents does not prevent the contractor or subcontractor, at the time of application and certification to the owner or contractor, from withholding such application and certification to the owner or contractor for payment to the subcontractor, design professional or material supplier for unsatisfactory job progress, defective construction work or design professional services or materials not remedied, disputed work or materials, third-party claims filed or reasonable evidence that a claim will be filed, failure of a subcontractor or design professional to make timely payments for labor, equipment and materials or design professional services, damage to the contractor or another subcontractor or design professional, reasonable evidence that the subcontract or design professional service contract cannot be completed for the unpaid balance of the subcontract or design professional service contract sum or a reasonable amount for retention that does not exceed the actual percentage retained by the owner.

E. If any payment to a contractor is delayed after the date due, interest shall be paid at the rate of one percent per month or a fraction of the month on such unpaid balance as may be due.

F. If any periodic or final payment to a subcontractor or design professional is delayed by more than seven days after receipt of periodic or final payment by the contractor or subcontractor, the contractor or subcontractor shall pay the contractor's or subcontractor's subcontractor, design professional or material supplier interest, beginning on the eighth day, at the rate of one percent per calendar month or a fraction of a calendar month on such unpaid balance as may be due.

G. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section, this section applies only to amounts payable in a construction services contract for construction and in a contract for design services and does not apply to amounts payable in a contract for preconstruction services, finance services, maintenance services, operations services or any other related services included in the contract.

H. If the owner directs the contractor to perform changed or additional work in accordance with the construction contract, and pending a final determination of the total cost to be paid for the changed or additional work, the contractor may request payment for changed or additional work that the contractor completed during the preceding calendar month in monthly pay estimates based on the costs the contractor incurred to perform that work. The person designated in the construction contract to certify and approve the monthly payment estimate will make an interim determination for purposes of approval for payment of those costs and certify for payment the amount that that person determines to be reasonably justified. Either party may disagree with the interim determination and may assert a claim in accordance with the terms of the construction contract.

I. If the owner directs the contractor to perform changed or additional work in accordance with the construction contract and if the contractor directs the subcontractor to perform the changed or additional work in accordance with the agreement between the contractor and subcontractor, and pending a final determination of the total cost to be paid for the changed or additional work, the subcontractor may request payment for the changed or additional work that the subcontractor completed during the preceding calendar month in monthly pay estimates based on the costs the subcontractor incurred to perform that work. Either party may disagree with the interim determination and may assert a claim in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the contractor and subcontractor.

j. In any action or arbitration brought pursuant to this section, the successful party shall be awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs.

k. For the purposes of this section:

2. "Contractor":

(b) Does not include an agricultural improvement district formed pursuant to title 48, chapter 17 or an electric cooperative formed pursuant to title 10, chapter 19, article 2 or 4.

3. "Subcontractor":

(b) Does not include an agricultural improvement district formed pursuant to title 48, chapter 17 or an electric cooperative formed pursuant to title 10, chapter 19, article 2 or 4.

4. "Work" means the labor, materials, equipment and services to be provided by a contractor or subcontractor under a construction contract. END_STATUTE