79R8907 MTB-F

By:  Turner                                                       H.B. No. 2300



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of metropolitan rapid transit authorities 
to enter into comprehensive development agreements.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 451, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 451.073 to read as follows:
	Sec. 451.073.  COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.  (a)  
This section applies to:
		(1)  an authority in which the principal municipality 
has a population of more than 1.2 million; and
		(2)  a project with a proposed cost of more than $100 
million.       
	(b)  An authority has the same powers as a regional mobility 
authority to enter into a comprehensive development agreement.  The 
following provisions apply to an agreement under this section:
		(1)  Sections 370.305-370.310;                                         
		(2)  Sections 370.311(a) and (b); and                                  
		(3)  Sections 370.312-370.315.                                         
	SECTION 2.  Section 451.110(a), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (c) and by Section 
451.073, a board may not contract for the construction of an 
improvement or the purchase of any property, except through 
competitive bidding after notice of the contract proposal.  The 
notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in 
the area in which the authority is located at least once each week 
for two consecutive weeks before the date set for receiving the 
bids.  The first notice must be published at least 15 days before 
the date set for receiving bids.
	SECTION 3.  Section 451.111(a), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Section 451.073, unless [Unless] 
the posting requirement in Subsection (b) is satisfied, a board may 
not let a contract that is:
		(1)  for more than $25,000;  and                                              
		(2)  for:                                                                     
			(A)  the purchase of real property; or                                       
			(B)  consulting or professional services.                                    
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.