Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 1681	Senate Author:  Zaffirini
Effective:  11-1-13	House Sponsor:  Harper-Brown

            Senate Bill 1681 amends the Government Code to revise provisions relating to the oversight and management of state contracts.  Among other provisions, the bill requires the comptroller of public accounts to adapt an existing training program for contract managers to provide an abbreviated training program for members of the governing bodies of state agencies and requires all members of a governing body that enters into contracts to complete at least one course of this training.  The bill revises the composition and duties of the Contract Advisory Team and requires the comptroller to oversee the activities of the team.

            Senate Bill 1681 requires the comptroller to establish threshold requirements that exclude small or routine contracts, including purchase orders, from the application of statewide contract management law.  The bill also exempts certain Health and Human Services Commission enrollment contracts from these statewide contract management provisions.  The bill provides for a vendor performance tracking system that includes vendor performance reviews by the comptroller. 

            Senate Bill 1681 requires the comptroller to develop recommendations for contract terms regarding remedies for noncompliance by contractors and authorizes the comptroller to develop recommended contract terms that are generally applicable to state contracts and terms that are applicable to important types of state contracts.