SRC-SEW S.B. 871 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 871
By: Lindsay
Intergovernmental Relations
3/13/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law does not clearly define what constitutes competitive bidding.
As proposed, S.B. 871 specifically defines competitive bidding, allows
counties to accept electronic bids for goods and services, and requires
counties to establish rules for the security and confidentiality of
electronic bids. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to county purchasing agents in
SECTION 2 (Section 262.023(a), Local Government Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 262.022, Local Government Code, by adding
Subsection (10), to define "competitive bidding." 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 262.023(a), Local Government Code, to require
the county purchasing agent, prior to receiving electronic bids, to adopt
rules, in conformance with Section 262.011(o), to ensure the
identification, security, and confidentiality of such bids.  Deletes text
requiring bids or proposals to be sealed. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 271.003, Local Government Code, by adding
Subsection (12), to define "competitive bidding." 

SECTION 4.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.