(a)  Effect of section.- This section does not authorize a county or municipal corporation to avoid compliance with any competitive bidding requirements for a conversion or improvement to be performed by a private contractor. 

(b)  Application of section.- Provisions in State, county, or municipal law that require competitive bidding do not apply to a conversion or improvement performed by: 

(1) a county, municipal corporation, public agency, or public utility; or 

(2) a department, agency, commission, or office of a county or municipal corporation. 

[An. Code 1957, art. 78, § 64A(i); 1998, ch. 8, § 2.]