BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1799
By: Goodman
3-20-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND
The Trinity River Authority of Texas is a conservation and
reclamation district created under 
Article XVI, Section 59 of the Texas Constitution.  Section 13 of
the Trinity River Authority's statute (Ch. 13, Acts of the 54th
Legislature, Regular Session, 1955) requires competitive bidding on
any construction contract or contract for the purchase of
materials, equipment, or supplies requiring an expenditure of more
than $5,000.  Cities, counties and other similar districts have
higher bidding thresholds.

PURPOSE
This bill will enable the Trinity River Authority to award
construction contracts and purchases under the guidelines of the
General Government and Water Codes as other governmental entities
do. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1.  Section 13, Chapter 518, Acts of the 54th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1955 (Article 8280-188, Vernon's Texas Civil
Statutes), is amended to provide that any construction contract or
contract for the purchase of material, equipment or supplies is
subject to the requirements of general law.

SECTION 2.  Provides that the change in law applies only to a
contract executed on or after the effective date of the Act.

SECTION 3.  Effective date.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION
H.B.1799 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
March 20, 1995.

The following person testified in favor of the bill:
     Mr. Maurice L. Locke, President, Board of Directors, Trinity
River Authority of Texas, representing himself.
The following persons testified against the bill: None (0).
The following persons testified on the bill: None (0).

The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the
Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 6
ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 3 absent.