H.B. No. 679
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to change order approval requirements for certain
  political subdivisions of the state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 252.048(c), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  If a change order involves a decrease or an increase of
  $50,000 [$25,000] or less, the governing body may grant general
  authority to an administrative official of the municipality to
  approve the change orders.
         SECTION 2.  Section 271.060, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  A governing body may grant authority to an official or
  employee responsible for purchasing or for administering a contract
  to approve a change order that involves an increase or decrease of
  $50,000 or less.
         SECTION 3.  Section 281.046, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
         (f)  The board may grant authority to an official or employee
  responsible for purchasing or for administering a contract to
  approve a change order that involves an increase or decrease of
  $50,000 or less.
         SECTION 4.  Section 325.040, Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 325.040.  CHANGE ORDERS. After a construction contract
  is awarded, if the district determines that additional work is
  needed or if the character or type of work, facilities, or
  improvements should be changed, the board may authorize change
  orders to the contract on terms the board approves. A change made
  under this section may not increase or decrease the total cost of
  the contract by more than 25 percent. The board may grant authority
  to an official or employee responsible for purchasing or for
  administering a contract to approve a change order that involves an
  increase or decrease of $50,000 or less.
         SECTION 5.  Section 351.137(c), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  After a construction contract is awarded, if the
  district determines that additional work is needed or if the
  character or type of work, facilities, or improvements should be
  changed, the board may authorize change orders to the contract on
  terms the board approves. The board may grant authority to an
  official or employee responsible for purchasing or for
  administering a contract to approve a change order that involves an
  increase or decrease of $50,000 or less. A change made under this
  subsection may not increase or decrease the total cost of the
  contract by more than 25 percent.
         SECTION 6.  Section 49.273(i), Water Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (i)  If changes in plans or specifications are necessary
  after the performance of the contract is begun, or if it is
  necessary to decrease or increase the quantity of the work to be
  performed or of the materials, equipment, or supplies to be
  furnished, the board may approve change orders making the changes.
  The board may grant authority to an official or employee
  responsible for purchasing or for administering a contract to
  approve a change order that involves an increase or decrease of
  $50,000 or less. The aggregate of the change orders may not
  increase the original contract price by more than 10 percent.
  Additional change orders may be issued only as a result of
  unanticipated conditions encountered during construction, repair,
  or renovation or changes in regulatory criteria or to facilitate
  project coordination with other political entities.
         SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 679 was passed by the House on April
  7, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 679 was passed by the Senate on May
  17, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 31
  , Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor