BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3623

By: McQueeney

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law requires the comptroller and each state agency making a purchase using the open market purchasing procedure to solicit bids by direct mail, telephone, telegraph, facsimile transmission, or online electronic transmission. The author has informed the committee that the telegraph is not an available or practical means of soliciting bids because it is an obsolete system that is no longer used as a communication method. H.B. 3623 seeks to reform that provision in current law by removing the telegraph as an authorized means of soliciting bids.

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. 3623 amends the Government Code to remove the use of telegraph from the authorized methods by which the comptroller of public accounts and each state agency making an open market purchase is required to solicit bids under the State Purchasing and General Services Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.