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.