BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 297
By: West, Royce
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the Texas Building and Procurement Commission is required to appoint a committee to review the uniform general conditions of state building construction contracts (committee). The committee is currently comprised of twelve members nominated by a variety of state agencies and associations as representatives from various parts of the construction trade. While a representative from a historically underutilized business is currently appointed to the committee, minority and small contractor representation on the committee is significantly lacking. Minority and small contractor representation is important to ensure that the specifications do not contain requirements that would present barriers to such contractors. The Hispanic Contractors Association de Tejas and the Black Contractors Association have historically provided input on state issues that affect not only their respective membership, but the small contracting community as a whole.
S.B. 297 adds two individuals appointed by the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (commission), each representing a different minority contractors association, to the composition of the committee. The bill deletes the provision requiring the appointment to the committee by the commission of one person from the list submitted by the executive director of the National Association of Minority Contractors.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 2166.305(b), Government Code, to restructure the composition of the committee appointed to review the uniform general conditions of state building construction contracts (committee). Deletes existing text requiring the appointment of a person by the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (commission) to the committee from the list submitted by the executive director of the National Association of Minority Contractors. Includes two individuals appointed by the commission, each representing a different minority contractors association, to the composition of the committee.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2007.