SRC-SEW S.B. 630 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 630 77R5859 PAM-DBy: Carona Intergovernmental Relations 3/18/2001 As Filed 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 and implemented a purchasing credit card program for various procurement activities. As proposed, S.B. 630 authorizes counties to establish their own local purchasing credit card programs. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioners court in SECTION 1 (Section 262.013, Local Government Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 262B, Local Government Code, by adding Section 262.013, as follows: Sec. 262.013. COUNTY PURCHASING CREDIT CARD PROGRAM. (a) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county to contract with one or more credit card issuers for the county purchasing agent, or a person authorized by the county purchasing agent, to use credit cards to pay for county purchases. (b) Authorizes the commissioners court, notwithstanding Section 262.011(f) or other law, to adopt rules relating to the use of credit cards to pay for county purchases of one or more items that will require an expenditure of less than $25,000. (c) Provides that a person who is authorized by the county purchasing agent to use a credit card under this section while making a county purchase is considered an assistant of the county purchasing agent by aiding the agent in the performance of the agent's duties for the purposes of Sections 262.011, 262.0115, and 262.012. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.