HBA-DMD, NLM H.B. 2729 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2729
By: Longoria
County Affairs
6/2/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislature, many political subdivisions required
businesses wishing to bid on public work to be certified by the
subdivision. The procedure for certification required the business to be
classified as a legitimate business qualified to bid on public work.
Certification was a required procedure for a business to bid on public work
for any department and entity located within and under the subdivision's
jurisdiction. There was concern that this procedure may have been an
obstacle for some businesses in regard to time and efficiency in bidding on
public work.  H.B. 2729 authorizes any combination of certain local
political entities, by ordinance, resolution, rule, order, or other means,
to agree to establish a regional business certification program to be used
in connection with the political subdivisions' purchasing procedures.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 280, Local Government Code, by adding Section
280.003, as follows: 

Sec. 280.003.  REGIONAL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS. Authorizes any
combination of certain local political entities, by ordinance, resolution,
rule, order, or other means, to agree to establish a regional business
certification program to be used in connection with the political
subdivisions' purchasing procedures.  Authorizes a consolidated entity
administering a program established under this section to adopt rules,
regulations, or other provisions that are  designed to streamline and
centralize the certification process of certain qualified businesses to
participate in the contracting and procurement process of any member entity
involved in the regional business certification program.  Provides that the
purpose of this section is to permit participating political subdivisions
the greatest possible flexibility to organize a regional business
certification program most suitable to address the region's problems
related to business certification.  

SECTION 2.   Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.