SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) has passed legislation in the House and Senate to permit a county to allow for the quick and efficient purchase of police vehicles when a patrol car has been wrecked.

House Bill 1727 permits a county to bypass the competitive bidding process for contracts and purchases in the event of the need of replacing a destroyed or inoperable sheriff’s department patrol vehicle, with county board approval.

Having passed the Senate last week, the measure now heads to the governor for his consideration.

The bill was an initiative of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.