BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1765
80R10785 ATP-D By: Watson
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Competitive bid requirements are sometimes difficult for small businesses and historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) to meet. Strict competitive bids often have specific bonding requirements, require prior work experience with similar contracts, and defined levels of insurance. Currently a city is required to competitively bid all purchases of goods or services over $25,000, and contact at least two HUBs for all contracts between $3,000 and $25,000.
As proposed, S.B. 1765 increases to $50,000 the purchase price at which a city is required to contact at least two HUBs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 252.021(a), Local Government Code, to require a municipality to perform certain tasks before it may enter into a contract that requires an expenditure of more than $50,000, rather than $25,000, from one or more municipal funds.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 252.0215, Local Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 252.0215. COMPETITIVE BIDDING IN RELATION TO HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESS. Requires a municipality, in making an expenditure of more than $3,000 but less than $50,000, rather than $25,000, to contact at least two historically underutilized businesses on a rotating basis, based on information provided by the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, rather than the General Services Commission, pursuant to Chapter 2161 (Historically Underutilized Businesses), Government Code.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2007.