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.