H.B. No. 845




AN ACT

relating to preferences in state purchasing.                                  
	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.  Section 2155.445, Government Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
	(d)  In addition to the products covered by the definition 
adopted by rule under this section, in this section "recycled 
product" includes recycled steel products.  The preference for 
recycled steel products under this section applies also to products 
purchased in connection with projects described by Section 
2166.003.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                           




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.B. No. 845 was passed by the House on April 
10, 2003, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in 
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 845 on May 23, 2003, by a non-record 
vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	
I certify that H.B. No. 845 was passed by the Senate, with 
amendments, on May 21, 2003, by a viva-voce vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                      Secretary of the Senate   



APPROVED: __________________                                                
 
                Date                                                         




 
         __________________                                              
 
              Governor