HBA-DMD S.B. 1133 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1133
By: Madla
State Affairs
4/29/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Professional Procurement Act exempts certain identified professionals,
including physicians and engineers, from the general requirement that the
state procure goods and services only through a competitive bidding
process. The purpose of this policy is for professional services to be
purchased on the basis of quality and competency rather than on the basis
of the cheapest price. However, this law does not include advanced practice
nurses, and therefore the state's contracts with professional nurses are
currently awarded to the lowest bidder. S.B. 1133 includes professional
nursing and registered nurse services in the definition of "professional
services." 

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 Section 2254.002(2), Government Code, to include
professional nursing and registered nurse services in the definition of
"professional services." 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.