Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 3242 amends the Government Code to require that the reverse auction procedure be used for at least 10 percent of the dollar value of open market purchases that are made by an agency, or by the Texas Building and Procurement Commission on behalf of the agency, each fiscal year. The bill prohibits use of that procedure in purchasing services related to the construction, remodeling, repair, or maintenance of a building or other public work and excludes such purchases, as well as purchases of professional services, from the dollar value calculation. The bill requires an agency to submit to the governor and legislative presiding officers a written justification in September if it failed to comply with the 10 percent requirement for the preceding fiscal year.

Reason Given for Veto: "House Bill No. 3242 would mandate that all state agencies use a reverse auction to make 10 percent of all purchases, other than professional services. I believe the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, which generally makes state agency purchases, should have the flexibility to determine the most efficient and cost effective means of making purchases."