S.B. No. 176
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the distribution of certain consultants' reports.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 2254, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2254.041 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2254.041.  DISTRIBUTION OF CONSULTANT REPORTS. (a)  A
  consulting services contract must include provisions that allow the
  state agency contracting with the consultant and any other state
  agency and the legislature, at the contracting state agency's
  discretion, to distribute the consultant report, if any, and to
  post the report on the agency's Internet website or the website of a
  standing committee of the legislature.
         (b)  This section does not affect the application of Chapter
  552 to a consultant's report.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
  this section, Section 2254.041, Government Code, as added by this
  Act, applies only to a consulting services contract entered into on
  or after the effective date of this Act. A consulting services
  contract entered into before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the contract is entered
  into, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         (b)  Section 2254.041, Government Code, as added by this Act,
  does not apply to a consulting services contract entered into on or
  after the effective date of this Act if:
               (1)  the state agency entered into negotiations for the
  consulting services contract before the effective date of this Act;
  and
               (2)  the contract is executed before December 31, 2013.
         SECTION 3.  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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 176 passed the Senate on
  March 13, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0;
  May 15, 2013, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
  requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 16, 2013, House
  granted request of the Senate; May 24, 2013, Senate adopted
  Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 31,
  Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 176 passed the House, with
  amendments, on May 8, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 147,
  Nays 0, two present not voting; May 16, 2013, House granted request
  of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
  May 23, 2013, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
  following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
             Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor