Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 1981 amends the Local Government Code to provide that bids or requests for proposals that are subject to the competitive bidding process may be submitted to a county in hard copy format or through electronic transmission. The bill requires the county purchasing agent to adopt rules before receiving electronic bids to ensure the bids' identification, security, and confidentiality. The bill deletes the requirement that all competitive bids or proposals be sealed.

            House Bill 1981 authorizes a municipality to receive bids or proposals through electronic transmission if its governing body adopts rules to ensure the identification, security, and confidentiality of the bids and that the bids remain effectively unopened until the proper time. The bill provides that an electronic bid or proposal is not required to be sealed and that a competitive bidding provision that applies to a sealed bid or proposal applies to a bid or proposal received through electronic transmission.