# Local Government (GLG)

## Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions

### Subtitle 4. Purchasing and Sales

#### Section 1-402

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Nonresident bidder" means a bidder whose principal office is outside the State.

  (3) "Preference" includes:

    (i) a percentage preference;

    (ii) an employee residency requirement; or

    (iii) any other provision that favors a resident over a nonresident.

  (4) "Resident bidder" means a bidder whose principal office is in the State.

(b) When a political subdivision or an instrumentality of government in the State uses competitive bidding to award a procurement contract, the political subdivision or instrumentality may give a preference to the resident bidder who submits the lowest responsive bid of any resident bidder if:

  (1) the resident bidder is a responsible bidder;

  (2) a responsible nonresident bidder submits the lowest responsive bid of all bidders; and

  (3) the state in which the nonresident bidder's principal office is located gives a preference to its residents.

(c) A preference under this section shall be identical to the preference that the state in which the nonresident bidder's principal office is located gives to its residents.

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Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)