IMF S.B. 1914 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


STATE AFFAIRS
S.B. 1914
By: Sibley (Turner, Sylvester)
5-20-97
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Currently, Texas law prescribes that each telecommunications service
purchased by the state must be purchased through the bid process.  A
telecommunications provider for the state, the General Services Commission
(GSC) obtains telecommunications services in such large volume that the
best value can be obtained through negotiations with qualified information
systems vendors who have filed catalogues.  S.B. 1914 would amend the
definition of "automated information systems" to include services obtained
from telecommunications providers by GSC.  This change would allow GSC to
purchase telecommunications services through the catalogue purchase
process. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1914 would redefine automated information system in
regards to the General Services Commission to include any service provided
by a telecommunications provider. 

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 2157.001, Government Code, to redefine
"automated information system" as, among other items, a telecommunications
apparatus or device that serves as a component of a communications
network, and, for the General Services Commission, as telecommunications
provider for the state, the term includes any service provided by a
"telecommunications provider", as that term is defined in Article 1446c-0,
V.T.C.S., as amended. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.