LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 19, 2003

TO:	Honorable Glenn Lewis, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1118 by Williams (Relating to competitive bidding procedures for certain purchases by a local government. ), Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would authorize a county of a district governed by that county to conduct a pre-bid conference for the purpose of discussing contract requirements and answering questions of prospective bidders. Procedures for related notices for proposed contracts and prerequisites for a mandatory pre-bid conference are also covered by the provisions of the bill.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2003 and would apply only to a proposed purchase or contract awarded by a competitive purchasing procedure for which a mandatory pre-bid conference is held on or after that date.

Local Government Impact

The pre-bid conference procedures addressed in the sections of the Local Government Code that would be amended by the bill currently apply only to a county with a population of 2.8 million or more (Harris County). The population bracket would be removed and, therefore, authorize all counties to utilize the pre-bid conference system, allowing additional flexibility in purchasing methods. Further, the requirements associated with the process are not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on units of local government.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JK, DLBa