Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 3193	House Author:  Bernal
Effective:  Vetoed	Senate Sponsor:  Menéndez

            House Bill 3193 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the City of San Antonio, in making an authorized purchase of any personal property that is not affixed to real property or services other than professional services, to consider an offeror's principal place of business as a percentage of the evaluation factors established by the bill unless the contract is for construction services that exceed a specified amount.

 

            Reason Given for Veto: "I previously vetoed Senate Bill 408, explaining that government has an obligation to spend no more of the taxpayers' money than necessary. The practice of competitive bidding forces government officials to put the taxpayers' interests ahead of any temptation to steer the people's business to favored vendors. House Bill 3193 would allow the City of San Antonio, and only that City, to reject the best bid and instead spend more money on a San Antonio-based vendor. Like Senate Bill 408 before it, House Bill 3193 improperly relieves government officials of their duty to seek the best possible value for the taxpayers. The bill is made worse because it creates different rules for different cities without any legitimate reason to do so."