78R3670 MTB-D


By:  Howard                                                       H.B. No. 845



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a purchasing preference for Texas vendors.                        
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 2155.444, Government 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 2155.444.  PREFERENCE TO TEXAS AND UNITED STATES 
PRODUCTS AND TEXAS SERVICES.
	SECTION 2.  Section 2155.444, Government Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (c) and by adding Subsection (e) to read as 
follows:
	(c)  In this section: [,]                              
		(1) "Agricultural [agricultural] products" includes 
textiles and other similar products.
		(2)  "Texas bidder" means a business:                                  
			(A)  incorporated in this state;                                      
			(B)  that has its principal place of business in 
this state; or     
			(C)  that has an established physical presence in 
this state.       
	(e)  The commission and all state agencies procuring 
services shall give preference to services offered by a Texas 
bidder if:
		(1)  the services meet state requirements regarding the 
service to be performed and expected quality; and
		(2)  the cost of the service does not exceed the cost of 
other similar services of similar expected quality that are not 
offered by a Texas bidder.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.