BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2000

By: Gutierrez

Government Transparency & Operation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that not only does the Department of Information Resources (DIR) offer a wide variety of information technology products and services but that a wide spectrum of public entities use DIR for their own purchases of these information technology commodity items.  These items include commercial software, hardware, or technology services. Interested parties note that additional entities would benefit from DIR's ability to negotiate with vendors to obtain the best value in the purchase of these items. H.B. 2000 seeks to include additional entities among those already using DIR for these purchases.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2000 amends the Government Code to authorize the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the Lower Colorado River Authority, a private school, a private or independent institution of higher education, and a volunteer fire department to purchase certain information technology commodity items through the Department of Information Resources and to be charged a reasonable administrative fee.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.