SRC-TAG S.B. 1849 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1849 By: Staples Education 4/3/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, interlocal contracts and interlocal cooperative contracts fail to adhere to the same competitive bidding process as required of a single school district for any purchase above $25,000. Consequently, interlocal contracts can bypass competitive bidding. As proposed, S.B. 1849 requires that purchases above $25,000 made through an interlocal contract or an interlocal cooperative contract be made through competitive bidding practices and open meeting and open records requirements as prescribed by Chapters 551 and 552 of the Government Code. 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 44.031, Education Code, by amending Subsection (5), to provide that an interlocal contract which uses competitive bidding and practices and follows open meeting and open records requirements as prescribed by Chapter 551 (Open Meetings) and Chapter 552 (Public Information), Government Code [Bill as drafted provides no further information.] SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.