The following public bodies may enter into contracts as provided in this section.

A. Contracts for certain essential election materials and services are exempted from the requirements of Articles 1 (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.), 2 (§ 2.2-4303 et seq.), and 5 (§ 2.2-4357 et seq.) of this chapter pursuant to § 24.2-602.

B. Any local school board may authorize any of its public schools or its school division to enter into contracts providing that caps and gowns, photographs, class rings, yearbooks and graduation announcements will be available for purchase or rental by students, parents, faculty or other persons using nonpublic money through the use of competitive negotiation as provided in this chapter; competitive sealed bidding is not necessarily required for such contracts. The Superintendent of Public Instruction may provide assistance to public school systems regarding this chapter and other related laws.

C. The Virginia Racing Commission may designate an entity to administer and promote the Virginia Breeders Fund created pursuant to § 59.1-372 without competitive procurement.

1982, c. 647, §§ 11-41, 11-45; 1984, c. 764; 1985, c. 164; 1986, cc. 332, 559; 1987, cc. 194, 248, 456; 1988, cc. 40, 640; 1989, cc. 235, 296; 1990, c. 395; 1991, cc. 73, 175; 1992, c. 105, § 11-40.3; 1993, cc. 110, 242, 505, 638, 971; 1996, cc. 145, 827, 897, 902, 950, 965, 1019, 1038; 1998, c. 222, 619, 666, 697, 791; 1999, cc. 160, 178, 194, 1021, 1024; 2000, cc. 242, 637, 647, 664, 692, 696, 927; 2001, c. 844.