Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 3042 amends the Government and Education codes to make miscellaneous changes relating to the jurisdiction and functions of the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC), including state agency contracting and procurement, administrative matters, and other topics. The bill prohibits an agency from spending more than the amount authorized for the cost of a construction project, or from changing project plans once the cost reaches that amount, unless the governor and the Legislative Budget Board approve. It provides that the attorney general, under certain circumstances, may require a competitive procurement process for state agencies that seek outside legal counsel. The bill reduces the standard per-employee space allocation, applicable to certain agencies and agency sites, from 153 to 135 square feet. It clarifies the role of the TBPC in providing centralized facilities management services, which extends to agency facilities in Travis and adjacent counties with various listed exceptions, and it transfers to the commission various related agency powers, duties, obligations, records, and property. The bill also transfers to the commission various functions relating to statewide contract management that previously were assigned either to the attorney general or to the state auditor. The bill adds new TBPC powers and duties relating to the lease of space in state-owned garages and parking lots. It designates a unit at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi as the Carlos F. Truan Natural Resources Center in honor of the former state senator.