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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to bids for construction contracts for certain |
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conservation and reclamation districts. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 49.273(i), Water Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(i) If changes in plans or specifications are necessary |
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after the performance of the contract is begun, or if it is |
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necessary to decrease or increase the quantity of the work to be |
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performed or of the materials, equipment, or supplies to be |
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furnished, the board may approve change orders making the changes. |
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The board may grant authority to an official or employee |
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responsible for purchasing or for administering a contract to |
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approve a change order that involves an increase or decrease of |
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$50,000 or less. The aggregate of the change orders may not |
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increase the original contract price by more than 25 [10] |
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percent. Additional change orders may be issued only as a result |
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of unanticipated conditions encountered during construction, |
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repair, or renovation or changes in regulatory criteria or to |
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facilitate project coordination with other political entities. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter I, Chapter 49, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 49.2731 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 49.2731. PROCEDURES FOR ELECTRONIC BIDS. (a) A |
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district may receive bids under Section 49.273 through electronic |
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transmission if the board of the district adopts rules to ensure the |
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identification, security, and confidentiality of electronic bids |
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and to ensure that the electronic bids remain effectively unopened |
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until the proper time. |
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(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an |
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electronic bid or proposal is required to be sealed. A provision of |
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this chapter that applies to a sealed bid applies to a bid received |
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through electronic transmission in accordance with the rules |
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adopted under Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a contract entered into on or after the effective date of this |
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Act. A contract entered into before the effective date of this Act |
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is governed by the law in effect on the date the contract was |
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entered into, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |