SRC-TJG H.B. 2444 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2444
78R8601 MTB-DBy: West, George "Buddy" (Armbrister)
Natural Resources
5/23/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires the Texas Railroad Commission to follow purchasing
guidelines that in some cases may be burdensome or unnecessary for
particular purchases.  For example, the commission is required to used the
Texas Building and Procurement Commission's Master Bidder's List for its
well plugging program, which involves sending bid notices to over 400
vendors, although only 50 vendors are certified to perform those services.
H.B. 2444 gives the Texas Railroad Commission additional flexibility with
respect to the procedures it must follow for certain purchases. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 81, Natural Resources Code, by
adding Section 81.021, as follows: 
 
Sec. 81.021.  DELEGATED PURCHASES.  Provides that the Texas Railroad
Commission (RRC) is delegated the authority to purchase goods and services
under Section 2155.132(a), Government Code, if the purchase does not
exceed $300,000. 
 
SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 81, Natural Resources Code, by
adding Section 81.057, as follows: 

Sec. 81.057.  EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN PURCHASING RULES.  Provides that RRC
is not required to follow any purchasing procedures prescribed by or under
the following laws when RRC makes a purchase in connection with the
remediation of surface locations or well plugging: Subchapter E, Chapter
2155, Government Code; Section 2161.003 or 2161.004, Government Code;
Subchapters D and F, Chapter 2161, Government Code; and Subchapters B and
C, Chapter 2177, Government Code. 
 
SECTION 3.  Amends Section 2158.004, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(e) to provide that except for the purchase or lease of a motor vehicle
for use in a nonattainment area designated under Section 107(d) of the
federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Section 7407), as amended, Subsection (a)
does not apply to a purchase or lease by RRC. 
 
SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.