SRC-JXG S.B. 1669 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1669
76R7075 DRH-FBy: Jackson
Intergovernmental Relations
4/6/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the commissioners court of a county must comply with competitive
bidding or competitive proposal procedures, before purchasing one or more
items under a contract that will require an expenditure exceeding $15,000.
S.B. 1669 would increase the bid limit from $15,000 to $25,000, and allow
the county official who conducts purchases for the county to determine the
need for an extension without the permission of the commissioners court,
and would address continuing education training for county purchasing
agents. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1669 sets forth continuing education requirements for
county purchasing agents, and increases bid limits for purchases by
counties. 

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 262.011, Local Government Code, by adding
Subsection (p), to require a county purchasing agent to complete no less
than 40 hours in courses relating to the duties of the county purchasing
agent, during each two-year term of office. Requires the courses to be
accredited by a nationally recognized college or university, or recognized
by a national purchasing association, such as the National Association of
Purchasing Management. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 262.023(a), Local Government Code, to require the
commissioners court of the county to comply with the competitive bidding or
competitive proposal procedures, before a county may purchase one or more
items under a contract that will require an expenditure exceeding $25,000,
rather than $15,000. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 262.026(a), Local Government Code, to authorize
the date specified in the notice to be extended, if the county official who
makes purchases for the county determines the extension is in the best
interest of the county. Requires all bids, including those received before
an extension is made, to be opened at the same time. Deletes text regarding
the commissioners court discovering an error in the original specifications
or the nature of the item to be purchased.  

SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.