By:  West                                                         S.B. No. 689


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the awarding of contracts by municipalities.                      
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subsection (b), Section 252.043, Local 
Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  In determining the best value for the municipality, the 
municipality may consider:
		(1)  the purchase price;                                                      
		(2)  the reputation of the bidder and of the bidder's 
goods or services;    
		(3)  the quality of the bidder's goods or services;                           
		(4)  the extent to which the goods or services meet the 
municipality's needs;
		(5)  the bidder's past relationship with the 
municipality;                  
		(6)  the impact on the ability of the municipality to 
comply with laws, [and] rules, and programs relating to contracting 
with historically underutilized businesses, minority-owned and 
women-owned businesses, and nonprofit organizations employing 
persons with disabilities;
		(7)  the total long-term cost to the municipality to 
acquire the bidder's goods or services; and
		(8)  any relevant criteria specifically listed in the 
request for bids or proposals.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.