LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 10, 2007

TO:
Honorable Bill Callegari, Chair, House Committee on Government Reform
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB704 by Lucio (Relating to the small contractor participation assistance program for certain state construction projects.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC) to maintain the small contractor participation assistance program.

The bill would require TBPC to develop a bond application package, with guidance from the Texas Department of Insurance, to assist small contractors in preparing bond application packages and obtain bonds required to participate in public works projects.  

The bill would require TBPC to designate a TBPC employee to serve as the small contractor participation coordinator to administer the small contractor participation assistance program.  The bill would require the coordinator to provide technical assistance and training, with assistance from the Texas Department of Insurance, related to preparing bond application packages and obtaining bonds; and with assistance from the facilities construction and space management division of TBPC, to provide small contractors technical assistance related to participation in the program. 

The bill would require the coordinator to submit an annual report describing the activities and progress of the program to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.  This report would be included in TBPC's consolidated HUB report. 

The bill would require TBPC to provide small contractor safety training to ensure compliance with federal job site safety standards. 

The bill would restrict funds appropriated to TBPC for the small contractor participation assistance program to be used only for that program. 

TBPC indicated there would be costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill.  It is assumed that these costs could be absorbed with existing resources. 

The bill would take effect September 1, 2007. 


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
303 Building and Procurement Commission
LBB Staff:
JOB, MN, KJG, EP