BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2223

By: Davis, Yvonne

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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 and 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. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.