Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen • July 2016 | Page 38

The Law and Your Business
Boycott Scrutinized Lists
by Anthony (Tony) Zebouni,
NUCA North Florida

NUCA OF NORTH FLORIDA
38

Legislature enacted legislation
that could impact the public bid
process on local, county and state
contracts in Florida. §287.135, F.S. has
been amended which could allow
termination of an existing contract
or disqualification from bidding on
potential contract opportunities.
Any contract over one million dollars
entered into, or amended, as of
October 1, 2016, may be terminated
if the contractor has been placed
on the Sudan, Israel or, Iran Boycott
Scrutinized list. Further, a contractor
that engages in business with
Cuba or Syria or submits a false
certification to the governmental
entity may have its contract
terminated.
The law provides “exceptions”
to the exclusion or termination
consequence should the local
government determine it is in the
best interests to contract with the
company. Also, the prohibitions will

DITCHMEN • JULY 2016

become inoperative once federal
law ceases to authorize states to
enact such legislation.
By August 1, 2016, the State Board
of Administration is charged with
researching companies (both
direct and indirect holdings) and
maintaining a list of companies that
boycott Israel. If your company is
determined to meet the criteria to
be on the list, you should receive a
written notice informing you of your
scrutinized company status. The
entire text of SB 86 can be found
online or you may contact my office
for more information.

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