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.