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.