83R17425 CJC-F

By: Reynolds H.B. No. 1994

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1994:

By: Reynolds C.S.H.B. No. 1994

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the purchase of certain commodity items by a state agency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 2157.068, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (f) and (g) and adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows:

(f) The department may adopt rules regulating a purchase by a state agency of a commodity item under this section, including a requirement that, notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, the agency must make the purchase in accordance with a contract developed by the department unless [the agency obtains]:

(1) the agency obtains:

(A) an exemption from the department; or

(B) [(2)] express prior approval from the Legislative Budget Board for the expenditure necessary for the purchase; or

(2) the department certifies in writing that the commodity item is not available for purchase under an existing contract developed by the department.

(f-1) A state agency may purchase a commodity item through a contract developed by a local government purchasing cooperative under Chapter 791 if the department certifies in writing that the commodity item is not available for purchase under an existing contract developed by the department.

(g) The Legislative Budget Board's approval of a biennial operating plan under Section 2054.102 is not an express prior approval for purposes of Subsection (f)(1)(B) [(f)(2)]. A state agency must request an exemption from the department under Subsection (f)(1)(A) [(f)(1)] before seeking prior approval from the Legislative Budget Board under Subsection (f)(1)(B) [(f)(2)].

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.