California Public Contract Code

§ 22300

PCC § 22300 Effective Jan 1, 2023Div. 2 · Part 5

Statute text

(a)For purposes of this section, “contractor” includes, but is not limited to, a contractor performing a public works contract, as defined in Section 1101, and any person or entity that would qualify as a contractor under Section 6106.5.

(b)Provisions shall be included in any invitation for bid and in any contract documents to permit the substitution of securities for any moneys withheld by a public agency to ensure performance under a contract; however, substitution of securities provisions shall not be required in contracts in which there will be financing provided by the Farmers Home Administration of the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. Sec. 1921 et seq.), and where federal regulations or policies, or both, do not allow the substitution of securities. At the request and expense of the contractor, securities equivalent to the amount withheld shall be deposited with the public agency, or with a state or federally chartered bank in this state as the escrow agent, who shall then pay those moneys to the contractor. Upon satisfactory completion of the contract, the securities shall be returned to the contractor.

(c)Alternatively, the contractor may request and the owner shall make payment of retentions earned directly to the escrow agent at the expense of the contractor. At the expense of the contractor, the contractor may direct the investment of the payments into securities and the contractor shall receive the interest earned on the investments upon the same terms provided for in this section for securities deposited by the contractor. Upon satisfactory completion of the contract, the contractor shall receive from the escrow agent all securities, interest, and payments received by the escrow agent from the owner, pursuant to the terms of this section.

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Legislative history

Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 427, Sec. 21. (SB 1489) Effective January 1, 2023.