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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 871
By: Lindsay
Intergovernmental Relations
3/28/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law does not clearly define what constitutes competitive bidding.
C.S.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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from the original by including in the definition of "competitive
bidding" the requirement that bids be accepted in hard copy.