83R16977 AED-F
 
  By: Callegari H.B. No. 2704
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2704:
 
  By:  King of Zavala C.S.H.B. No. 2704
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to bids for construction contracts for certain
  conservation and reclamation districts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  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 25 [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 2.  Subchapter I, Chapter 49, Water Code, is amended
  by adding Section 49.2731 to read as follows:
         Sec. 49.2731.  PROCEDURES FOR ELECTRONIC BIDS. (a) A
  district may receive bids under Section 49.273 through electronic
  transmission if the board of the district adopts rules to ensure the
  identification, security, and confidentiality of electronic bids
  and to ensure that the electronic bids remain effectively unopened
  until the proper time.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an
  electronic bid or proposal is required to be sealed. A provision of
  this chapter that applies to a sealed bid applies to a bid received
  through electronic transmission in accordance with the rules
  adopted under Subsection (a).
         SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a contract entered into on or after the effective date of this
  Act. A contract entered into before the effective date of this Act
  is governed by the law in effect on the date the contract was
  entered into, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 4.  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, 2013.