Parity in Engineering Act

This bill would make Minnesota follow the same federal rules as most other states when hiring engineers and designers for federally funded road and bridge projects. Right now, Minnesota is named as an exception to these contracting rules. The bill removes Minnesota from that exception, leaving only West Virginia as excluded from the special contracting requirements for engineering and design services.

In plain terms, Minnesota’s transportation agencies would have to use the standard federal process when picking engineering and design firms for projects that use federal highway money.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Minnesota state and local transportation agencies; engineering and design firms working on Minnesota projects that use federal highway funds.
• What changes: Minnesota would no longer be exempt from certain federal contracting rules for engineering and design services; only West Virginia would remain exempt.
• When: Would apply if and when the bill becomes law (the text does not give a specific date).