81R4531 JTS-D
 
  By: Carona S.B. No. 642
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to payments by bidders associated with a toll project
  contract.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 223.014(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Subject to Section 371.052, the [The] commission by rule
  shall provide a method by which a bidder may submit a bid guaranty.
  A rule may authorize the use of an electronic funds transfer, a
  check, including an electronic check, a money order, an escrow
  account, a trust account, a credit card issued by a financial
  institution chartered by a state or the United States or by a
  nationally recognized credit organization approved by the
  department, or another method the commission determines to be
  suitable. The department may require the payment of a discount or
  service charge for the use of a credit card.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 371, Transportation Code,
  as added by Chapter 103 (H.B. 570), Acts of the 80th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2007, is amended by adding Section 371.052 to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 371.052.  PAYMENT TO TOLL PROJECT ENTITY BY CONTRACT
  BIDDERS. A toll project entity may not require or accept any form
  of payment from a bidder for a contract associated with a toll
  project other than fees imposed to recover the toll project
  entity's costs of reviewing the bid. This section does not prevent a
  toll project entity from requiring a bidder to provide a form of
  security, including a bid guaranty, necessary to reimburse the toll
  project entity for a loss incurred as a result of a default by the
  bidder.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.