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


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2729
By: Longoria
County Affairs
4/11/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, many political subdivisions require businesses wishing to bid on
public work to be certified by the subdivision. The procedure for
certification requires the business to be classified as a legitimate
business qualified to bid on public work. Certification is 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 is
concern that this procedure may be 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.