Amend HB 197 by adding the following appropriately numbered
section to the bill and renumbering subsequent sections of the bill
appropriately:
      SECTION ____.  Sections 252.312(b) and (c), Transportation
Code, are amended to read as follows:
      (b)  If the county road engineer so recommends and the
commissioners court considers it to be in the best interest of the
county, a purchase in an amount of $25,000 <$15,000> or less may be
made through negotiation by the commissioners court or the court's
authorized representative on requisition to be approved by the
commissioners court or the county auditor without advertising for
competitive bids.
      (c)  A purchase may not be divided or reduced to avoid the
competitive bidding requirement on a purchase that would otherwise
cost more than $25,000 <$15,000>.