SRC-TNM S.B. 863 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 863 By: Patterson Intergovernmental Relations 3-20-97 Committee Report (Amended) DIGEST Currently, Texas law requires only a purchase order to be signed by the executive director or the authorized designated officer of the district or port authority. S.B. 863 would allow the director of a port authority to draft checks or commit to a contract prior to convening the board of commissioners as long as the amount is less than $25,000 and the commissioners have authorized the port director to draft the checks or make the commitment. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 863 outlines provisions regarding precommitment approval for certain purchases of a port authority. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 60.403, Water Code, to require a purchase order or other form of precommitment approval to be signed by the executive director of a district or port authority, before a purchase is made. Authorizes the precommitment approval to be in the form of a list of approved routine purchases or contracts signed by the executive director for routine contracts or purchases. Requires the signed list to remain on file in the offices of the district or port authority. Requires the list of routine purchases or contracts to be approved by the county auditor before the purchases or contracts may be made if any other type of purchase of the district or port authority is subject to the approval of a county auditor. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 60.403, Water Code, by adding Subsection (d), regarding approval of purchases.