SRC-SEW H.B. 1619 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1619
77R7625 PAM-DBy: Jones, Jesse (Carona)
Intergovernmental Relations
4/16/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Using a purchasing credit card for low-dollar items is an efficient and
effective method of payment, and such cards are widely used in government
and industry as a means to promote cost savings by decentralizing small
purchase activity.  Purchasing credit cards are also essential for
effective electronic commerce.  For the last three years, Texas has
successfully contracted for and implemented a purchasing credit card
program for various procurement activities.  As proposed, H.B. 1619
authorizes county purchases to be made using county purchasing cards under
the direction and supervision of the county purchasing agent. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority previously granted to a county purchasing agent is
modified in SECTION 1 (Section 262.011(o), Local Government Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 262.011(l) and (o), Local Government Code, as
follows: 

(l) Provides that a person who is authorized by the county purchasing agent
to use a county purchasing card while making a county purchase is
considered an assistant of the county purchasing agent to the extent the
person complies with the rules and procedures prescribed for the use of
county purchasing cards as adopted by the county purchasing agent under
Subsection (o) 

(o) Authorizes rules and procedures adopted under this subsection,
notwithstanding Subsection (f) or any other law, to include rules and
procedures for persons to use county purchasing cards to pay for county
purchases under the direction and supervision of the county purchasing
agent. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2001.