S.B. No. 99
                                        AN ACT
    1-1  relating to construction change orders.
    1-2        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-3        SECTION 1.  Section 252.048, Local Government Code, is
    1-4  amended to read as follows:
    1-5        Sec. 252.048.  CHANGE ORDERS.  (a)  If changes in plans or
    1-6  specifications are necessary after the performance of the contract
    1-7  is begun or if it is necessary to decrease or increase the quantity
    1-8  of work to be performed or of materials, equipment, or supplies to
    1-9  be furnished, the governing body of the municipality may approve
   1-10  change orders making the changes.
   1-11        (b)  The total contract price may not be increased because of
   1-12  the changes unless additional money for increased costs is
   1-13  appropriated for that purpose from available funds or is provided
   1-14  for by the authorization of the issuance of time warrants.
   1-15        (c)  If a change order involves a decrease or an increase of
   1-16  $25,000 <$15,000> or less, the governing body may grant general
   1-17  authority to an administrative official of the municipality to
   1-18  approve the change orders.
   1-19        (d)  The original contract price may not be increased under
   1-20  this section by more than 25 percent.  The original contract price
   1-21  may not be decreased under this section by more than 25 percent
   1-22  without the consent of the contractor.
   1-23        SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
    2-1        SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
    2-2  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
    2-3  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
    2-4  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
    2-5  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.