Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1694 by Coleman (Relating to the purchasing and contracting authority of certain governmental entities.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend several sections of the Local Government Code to revise the purchasing and contracting authority of counties. The bill would remove some distinctions between large and small counties; redefine the criteria for the "lowest and best" offer; expand use of electronic transfers, checks, warrants, and purchasing cards; clarify responsibilities of county commissioners courts, auditors and purchasing agents; alter certain health insurance considerations; and prescribe penalties for certain violations including the removal of confinement requirements.
The bill also would amend the Local Government Code to include “wharfs” and “docks” to the definition of civil works projects; and “board of trustees” under Chapter 54 of the Transportation Code to the definition of local governmental entity enabling a board to be considered as a local governmental entity in certain circumstances as defined by the provisions of the bill. The board of trustees of a port owned by a city under Chapter 54 of the Transportation Code would be authorized to use the design-build method of construction as defined by Chapter 271.
The bill would repeal Sections 262.0271(a), 262.0295(a) (3), 262.034(b), 262.035, 271.029(b), 271.030, 271.064(b), and 271.065 of the Local Government Code.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.