Amend CSHB 447 (Senate committee printing) by adding the 
following appropriately numbered section to Article 2 of the bill 
and renumbering the remaining sections of the article 
appropriately:
	SECTION 2.__.  Section 2166.259, Government Code, is amended 
by amending Subsections (a), (b), (d), and (e) and adding 
Subsections (b-1), (b-2), and (b-3) to read as follows:
	(a)  This section applies only in relation to [a contract 
for] a public works project that will involve a contract or 
aggregated multiple contracts with [has] an estimated cost of more 
than $1 [$20] million.
	(b)  The commission shall maintain a small contractor 
participation assistance program to ensure full opportunity for 
participation in public works projects by small contractors.  The 
program must include a:
		(1)  system for the centralized purchase of necessary 
insurance coverage for the public works project that is required 
under Subsection (c);
		(2)  public outreach plan to:                                                 
			(A)  provide public information about the 
program; and                     
			(B)  encourage small contractors to participate 
in the program;            
		(3)  technical assistance plan to aid small contractors 
in developing the skills necessary to participate in the program in 
accordance with Subsection (d); [and]
		(4)  financing assistance plan to provide 
administrative and other assistance to small contractors in 
obtaining necessary financing arrangements to make the 
participation of those contractors possible; and
		(5)  method developed with guidance from the Texas 
Department of Insurance to assist small contractors in:
			(A)  preparing bond application packages for 
public works projects in a format acceptable to bond underwriters; 
and
			(B)  obtaining bonds required to participate in 
public works projects.
	(b-1)  The commission shall designate a commission employee 
to serve as small contractor participation assistance coordinator.  
In addition to any other responsibilities, the coordinator shall:
		(1)  administer the small contractor participation 
assistance program established under this section;
		(2)  with the assistance of the Texas Department of 
Insurance, provide to small contractors technical assistance and 
training related to preparing bond application packages and 
obtaining bonds; and
		(3)  with the assistance of the facilities construction 
and space management division of the commission, provide to small 
contractors technical assistance related to participation in the 
program.
	(b-2)  The small contractor participation assistance 
coordinator shall submit an annual report describing the activities 
and progress of the program to the governor, the lieutenant 
governor, and each member of the legislature.
	(b-3)  Funding appropriated to the commission for the small 
contractor participation assistance program may only be used for 
that program.
	(d)  A technical assistance plan adopted by the commission 
must include information on and assistance in:
		(1)  bid estimation, the bidding process, scheduling, 
and the understanding of bid documents;
		(2)  the reading of construction drawings and other 
analogous documents;    
		(3)  business accounting, bonds, and bond 
requirements;                     
		(4)  negotiation with general contractors; [and]             
		(5)  other technical and administrative matters 
considered appropriate and necessary given the complexity and scope 
of the public works project; and
		(6)  small contractor safety training to ensure 
compliance with federal jobsite safety standards.
	(e)  The commission shall [may] negotiate contracts with 
persons or firms having expertise and any required license in the 
areas that must be included in the commission's technical 
assistance plan to provide the information and assistance.