BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 2223

82R5038  VOO-F

By: Davis, Yvonne (Carona)

 

Transportation & Homeland Security

 

5/10/2011

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) have statutory authority to negotiate a contract without competitive sealed bids or proposals if the amount of the contract is $25,000 or less.  Though the threshold amount has been increased twice by the legislature, the current amount does not allow DART or The T to use simplified acquisition procedures to lower administrative costs and increase efficiency.  H.B.  2223 seeks to promote low-cost, low-risk procurement by increasing the threshold amount relating to the contracts of certain regional transportation authorities that are required to be competitively bid.

 

H.B. 2223 amends the Transportation Code to increase from $25,000 to $50,000 the threshold amount below which the executive committee of certain regional mobility authorities may authorize the negotiation of a contract for construction, services, or property, other than real property, without competitive sealed bids or proposals. 

 

H.B. 2223 amends current law relating to the contracts of certain regional transportation authorities that are required to be competitively bid.

 

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 452.107(c), Transportation Code, as follows:

 

(c) Authorizes the executive committee of certain regional transportation authorities to authorize the negotiation of a contract without competitive sealed bids or proposals if:

 

(1) the aggregate amount involved in the contract is $50,00, rather than $25,000, or less; or

 

(2)-(6) Makes no changes to these subdivisions.

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2011.