BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 124

By: West

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised that the requirement for a county that receives bids or proposals through electronic transmission to also accept bids or proposals submitted in hard-copy format creates a burden on county staff when collating received bids and proposals. S.B. 124 seeks to streamline the competitive bidding process by authorizing a county to require electronic bids or proposals.

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

S.B. 124 amends the Local Government Code to authorize a county commissioners court by order to require submission of bids or proposals under the County Purchasing Act through electronic transmission.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.