BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 792
                                                       By: Harris
                                                   Administration
                                                           4-6-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Current law requires the Trinity River Authority of Texas (TRA), a
conservation and reclamation district, to engage in competitive
bidding on construction contracts and contracts for the purchase of
materials, equipment, or supplies requiring an expenditure of more
than $5,000.  In 1994, the cost of notices to bidders advertised in
local newspapers cost TRA $23,002.28.  TRA's costs would be reduced
by approximately 80 percent if TRA were authorized to award such
contracts under the requirements of general law rather than
specific bidding procedures.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 792 subjects certain contracts of the Trinity
River Authority to the requirements of general law.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 13, Article 8280-188, V.T.C.S., as
follows:

     Sec. 13.  Provides that any construction contract or contract
     for the purchase of material, equipment, or supplies is
     subject to the requirements of general law rather than
     specific bidding procedures.
     
     SECTION 2.     Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.