By Solis                                              H.B. No. 2328
         77R2154 BDH-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to state contracts and enterprise zone opportunities for
 1-3     historically underutilized businesses.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 2161, Government Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 2161.067 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 2161.067.  HUBZONE CONTRACTING PROGRAM. (a)  To the
 1-8     extent consistent with this chapter and with the federal HUBZone
 1-9     program under 15 U.S.C. Section 657, the commission and each state
1-10     agency may award contracts to historically underutilized businesses
1-11     for the purchase of goods and services and for construction
1-12     projects, provided that the businesses are:
1-13                 (1)  "qualified" under 15 U.S.C. Section 632(p); and
1-14                 (2)  located in a "historically underutilized business
1-15     zone," as defined by 15 U.S.C. Section 632(p), in this state.
1-16           (b)  The commission and each state agency that contracts for
1-17     the purchase of goods and services or for construction projects
1-18     shall make a good faith effort to increase the number of contract
1-19     awards made to businesses eligible under Subsection (a) to a level
1-20     of at least three percent of the total contracts awarded during
1-21     each fiscal year.
1-22           (c)  On request, the Texas Department of Economic Development
1-23     shall assist the commission or any state agency in locating
1-24     businesses eligible under Subsection (a).
 2-1           SECTION 2.  Section 2303.054, Government Code, is amended by
 2-2     adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
 2-3           (d)  The department shall investigate the possibility of
 2-4     using the United States Small Business Administration's HUBZone
 2-5     Empowerment Contracting Program Internet website to provide
 2-6     information on enterprise zone opportunities.
 2-7           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 2-8     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-9     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-10     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-11     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.