(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, state and local agencies may enter into agreements to pay for telecommunications services to be utilized beyond the current fiscal year. “Telecommunications services” for purposes of this section shall include, but not be limited to, central office-based leased communications systems equipped with primary station lines, capable of receiving in-dialed voice and data communications and capable of out-dialing voice and data communications and any customer premised equipment, software and installation costs necessary for utilization by the state or local agency.

(b) State and local agencies may enter into financing agreements for the acquisition of telecommunications services whenever the state or local agency may derive monetary benefit and greater services as a result of its ability to acquire capital at lower interest cost than the supplier of those services can provide directly to the agency or whenever the state or local agency may obtain a reduced cost of service based on length of agreement if offered by the supplier of telecommunications service.

(c) Acquisition requirements for financing of telecommunications goods and services shall be considered to have been met whenever the financing is within the scope of public sector requests for proposals or whenever the financing is offered by a sole source provider or that provider’s assignee.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to alter or circumvent any existing acquisition procedure or requirement, nor to alter or circumvent the acquisition authority of any state or local agency.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 776, Sec. 49. Effective September 27, 2000.)