SRC-TJG S.B. 440 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 440
78R4713 QS-DBy: Lindsay
Natural Resources
2/24/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there are two water authorities in Harris County, with the
possibility of another one being created this year.  There is no framework
to follow when deciding how best to hire contractors and subcontractors.
As proposed, S.B. 440 requires water authorities in certain counties to
follow the county government framework for purchasing and contracting
certain goods and services, which includes bidding requirements for
purchases greater than $25,000. 

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 Chapter 49I, Water Code, by adding Section 49.280, as
follows: 

Sec. 49.280.  PURCHASING PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN AUTHORITIES.  (a) Provides
that this section applies only to a regional water authority in a county
with a population of 3.4 million or more. 

(b) Requires a regional water authority to follow the purchasing
procedures provided for a county under Chapters 262 and 271, Local
Government Code, and other law. Provides that in applying those provisions
to a regional water authority under this section, a reference to "county"
means "regional water authority" and a reference to "commissioners court"
means "board." 

(c) Provides that the purchasing procedures provided for a county under
Chapters 262 (Purchasing and Contracting Authority of Counties) and 271
(Purchasing and Contracting Authority of Municipalities, Counties, and
Certain Other Local Governments), Local Government Code, and other law
prevail over a conflicting or inconsistent provision of this chapter. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.