Allows private institutions of higher education to access state cooperative purchasing contracts at the same terms as public institutions.

This bill, known as the Higher Education Purchasing Act, amends Tennessee law to allow private institutions of higher education to purchase goods and services through state cooperative purchasing contracts on the same terms and pricing available to public institutions. It prohibits charging participation fees or higher prices to private institutions and ensures that access does not reduce availability, increase prices, or create state liability. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.

Allows private institutions of higher education to access state cooperative purchasing contracts at the same terms as public institutions.

This bill, known as the Higher Education Purchasing Act, amends Tennessee law to allow private institutions of higher education to purchase goods and services through state cooperative purchasing contracts on the same terms and pricing available to public institutions. It prohibits charging participation fees or higher prices to private institutions and ensures that access does not reduce availability, increase prices, or create state liability. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.