77R12255 E By Pickett H.B. No. 1831 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1831: By Pickett C.S.H.B. No. 1831 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the general power of the Texas Department of 1-3 Transportation to contract. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 201.209 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 201.209. AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT. (a) The department may 1-8 contract with any public or private entity to carry out the 1-9 department's powers, duties, and responsibilities. 1-10 (b) The department by rule shall adopt policies and 1-11 procedures consistent with applicable state procurement practices 1-12 for soliciting and awarding the contracts under this section. 1-13 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 1-14 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 1-15 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this 1-16 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 1-17 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.