SRC-JLB S.B. 376 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 376
By: Lindsay/Gallegos
Business & Commerce
4/10/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Last session, Texas ports were granted the same authority as school
districts in procurement and construction bidding by allowing ports to use
provisions in Chapter 44, Education Code. However, Texas law is ambiguous
regarding the authority of a port to send out information regarding its
small business development program.  As proposed, S.B. 376 requires a port
to include in requests for bids, proposals, and qualifications information
about its small business development program. 

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 Section 60.404(d), Water Code, to require the
specifications regarding a bid proposal to follow certain instructions,
including an indication of whether a small business development program
adopted by the port commission of the port authority or district applies
to the purchase and, if so, where a copy of the program requirements may
be obtained. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 60.4125, Water Code, by adding Subsection (d)
to require, if a purchase or contract made under Subsection (a) is subject
to a small business development program adopted by the port commission of
the port authority or district, the purchase solicitation to indicate that
fact and to also indicate where a copy of the program requirements may be
obtained. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.