SRC-TNM C.S.S.B. 1066 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1066
By: Zaffirini
State Affairs
4-28-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, state agencies and universities must deal with procurement
statutes and regulations that increase the state's cost of doing business.
C.S.S.B. 1066 would focus on coordinating health and human services
agencies' and Disproportionate Share Program hospitals' efforts to
maximize savings for procurement reform. 
  
PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1066 outlines provisions regarding purchasing
practices by health and human services agencies, by certain other agencies
with programs related to health or human services, and by certain public
and private local providers of health or human services. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to an agency under SECTION 1 (Sec.
2155.144(f), Government Code); the Health and Human Services Commission
under SECTION 1 (Sec. 2155.144(g), Government Code) and SECTION 2 (Sec.
32.044(d), Human Resources Code); the public hospital under SECTION 2
(Sec. 32.043, Human Resources Code); the state agency or local unit of
government under SECTION 4 (Sec. 12.055(e), Health and Safety Code); and
the agency or authority under SECTION 5 (Sec. 533.016, Health and Safety
Code) of this bill.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 2155C, Government Code, by adding Section
2155.144, as follows: 

Sec. 2155.144. PROCUREMENTS BY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES AND
WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION. Provides that this section applies only
to the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), to each health and
human services agency, and to the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission.
Provides that an agency to which this section applies is delegated the
authority to purchase its goods and services, except as provided by this
section.  Sets forth certain goods and services an agency to which this
section applies is authorized to acquire by the procurement method that
provides the best value to the agency.  Sets forth factors the agency is
required to consider in determining the best value to the agency.
Requires the agency to consult with and receive approval from HHSC before
considering factors other than price and meeting specifications, if the
agency acquires goods or services with a value that exceeds $100,000.
Authorizes the state auditor to audit the agency's acquisitions of goods
and services.  Authorizes the agency to adopt rules and procedures for the
acquisition of goods and services under this section.   Requires HHSC to
adopt rules and procedures for the acquisition of goods and services under
this section that apply to all health and human services agencies,
including rules adopted with HHSC's assistance that allow  an agency to
make purchases through a group purchasing program except when a better
value is available through another procurement method.  Requires the rules
of those agencies to be consistent with the rules of the HHSC. Sets forth
requirements and outlines provisions regarding procurement practices.
Provides that to the extent of any conflict, this section prevails over
any other state law relating to the procurement of goods and services
except a law relating to contracting with historically underutilized
businesses.  Defines "health and human services agency." 

 SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 32B, Human Resources Code, by adding Sections
32.043 and 32.044, as follows: 

Sec. 32.043. PROCUREMENT RULES FOR PUBLIC DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE
HOSPITALS. Sets forth requirements and outlines provisions regarding
procurement rules for public disproportionate share hospitals. 

Sec. 32.044. GROUP PURCHASING FOR DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE HOSPITALS.
Authorizes a public or private hospital that is designated as a
disproportionate share hospital during a fiscal year to purchase goods and
services in accordance with this section during the succeeding fiscal
year.  Provides that a purchase of goods or services made in accordance
with this section is considered to satisfy any state law requiring
purchases by competitive bidding or competitive proposals.  Authorizes a
state or local governmental entity to allow the public or private hospital
to purchase goods or services by participating in one or more of the
entity's contracts for the purchase of goods or services.  Sets forth
requirements and outlines provisions regarding group purchasing for
disproportionate share hospitals.   

SECTION 3. Amends Sections 12.052(a) and (b), Health and Safety Code, to
provide that the expenditure of funds received by local units of
government from the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
Retardation (department) is governed by Chapter 783, Government Code,
rather than Article 4413(32g), V.T.C.S. (Uniform Grant and Contract
Management Act of 1981), and the rules adopted under that law, except as
provided by Section 12.055.  Provides that the expenditure of funds
received by other state agencies from the department is governed by Title
10D, Government Code, rather than Article 601b, V.T.C.S. (State Purchasing
and General Services Act), and the rules adopted under that law, except as
provided by Section 12.055.  Makes nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 4. Amends Chapter 12E, Health and Safety Code, by adding Sections
12.055 and 12.056, as follows: 

Sec. 12.055. CERTAIN PURCHASES MADE WITH DEPARTMENT FUNDS.  Authorizes a
state agency or local unit of government that expends funds received from
the department for the acquisition of goods and services to satisfy the
requirements of Section 12.052 or of another state requiring procurements
by competitive bidding or competitive sealed proposals by procuring goods
or services with those funds in accordance with Section 12.056 or in
accordance with Section 2155.144, Government Code; if the entity is a
state agency subject to that law, Section 32.043 or 32.044, Human
Resources Code; if the entity is a public hospital subject to those laws,
or this section, if the entity is not covered by Subdivision (1) or (2).
Sets forth goods and services a state agency or local unit of government
under Subsection (a)(3) is authorized to acquire by the method that
provides the best value to the state agency or local unit of government.
Requires a state agency or local unit of government to document that the
state agency or local unit of government considered all relevant factors
under Subsection (c) in making the acquisition.  Sets forth items the
state agency or local unit of government is authorized to consider in
determining the best value subject to Subsection (d).  Authorizes the
state auditor or the department to audit the state agency's or local unit
of government's acquisitions of goods and services under this section.
Authorizes the state agency or local unit of government to adopt rules and
procedures for the acquisition of goods and services. 

Sec. 12.056. PARTICIPATION IN DEPARTMENT PURCHASING CONTRACTS OR GROUP
PURCHASING PROGRAM. Authorizes the department to allow a state agency,
local unit of government, or private entity that expends funds received by
the department to purchase goods or services using those finds by
participating in a contract the department has made to purchase goods or
services or a group purchasing program established or designated by the
department that offers discounts to providers of health services. 

SECTION 5. Amends Chapter 533A, Health and Safety Code, by adding Sections
533.016 and 533.017, as follows: 

Sec. 533.016. CERTAIN PROCUREMENTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES BY SERVICE
PROVIDERS. Outlines provisions regarding certain procurements of goods and
services by service providers.  Sets forth goods or services an agency or
authority under Subsection (a)(3) is authorized to acquire by any
procurement method that provides the best value to the agency or
authority.  Requires the agency or authority to document that the agency
or authority considered all relevant factors under Subsection (c) in
making the acquisition.  Sets forth factors the agency or authority is
required to consider in determining the best value subject to Subsection
(d).  Requires the state agency to consult with and receive approval from
HHSC before considering factors other than price and meeting
specifications if a state agency to which this section applies acquires
goods or services with a value that exceeds $100,000.  Authorizes the
state auditor or the department to audit the agency's or authority's
acquisitions of goods and services under this section to the extent state
money or federal money appropriated by the state is used to make the
acquisitions.  Authorizes the agency or authority to adopt rules and
procedures for the acquisition of goods and services under this section.   

Sec. 533.017. PARTICIPATION IN DEPARTMENT PURCHASING CONTRACTS OR GROUP
PURCHASING PROGRAM. Outlines provisions regarding participation in
department purchasing contracts or a group purchasing program. 

SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 7. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 2155.144, Government Code, regarding procurements by health
and human services agencies and the Workers' Compensation Commission. 

SECTION 2.

Amends Chapter 32B, Human Resources Code, by adding Sections 32.043 and
32.044, regarding procurement rules for public disproportionate share
hospitals and group purchasing for disproportionate share hospitals. 

SECTION 4. 

Amends Chapter 12E, Health and Safety Code, by adding Sections 12.055 and
12.056, regarding certain procurements made with department funds and
participation in department purchasing contracts or group purchasing
program. 

SECTION 5.

Amends Chapter 533A, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 533.016,
regarding certain procurements of goods and services by service providers