PAK S.B. 1469 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


STATE AFFAIRS
S.B. 1469
By: Ellis (Turner, Sylvester)
5-22-97
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND 

Currently, the Minor Construction Section of the General Services
Commission (GSC) performs minor renovations and rehabilitation projects
for tenants in buildings on GSC's inventory.  This section evaluates
tenants' requests for service, determines the cost for such service and
may perform the work while charging the customer agencies a fee for the
work performed.  S.B. 1469 would  help GSC respond more efficiently to
customer requests for renovation and rehabilitation projects. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1469 outlines provisions regarding construction projects
managed by the General Services Commission. 

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. Amends Section 2166.001, Government Code, by amending
Subdivisions (8) and (9) and adding Subdivision (10), to redefine "small
construction project" and define "staged construction."  Makes conforming
changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 2166.203, Government Code, to require the
General Services Commission (commission) to notify a private design
professional selected for an interview on a project of the person's
selection not later than the 30th day before the date of the interview to
allow preparation for the interview, except as provided by Subsection (b).
Requires the commission to notify a private design professional selected
for an interview on a small construction project of the person's selection
not later than the 14th day before the date of the interview to allow
preparation for the interview.  Sets forth certain emergency situations
for which Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 2166.253, Government Code, to require the
commission to advertise in one, rather than two or more, newspaper of
general circulation and the Texas Register for work on the project.
Requires the commission to allow bidders a certain period of time to
respond to an invitation to bid, except as provided by Subsection (c).
Requires the commission to allow bidders for small construction projects
not less than 14 days after the date the commission issues the bid
document to respond to an invitation to bid.  Makes a conforming change.  

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.