HBA-CMT S.B. 925 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 925
By: Brown, J. E. "Buster"
Transportation
5/7/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Design-build contracts and other procedures for contracting and purchases
allow for both the design and construction of a facility.  This can be both
economical and efficient by reducing the time and effort expended in the
normal bidding process.  Instead of separately hiring contractors,
architects, and other businesses to build the facility, entities utilizing
the design-build method are able to hire one business to handle all aspects
of the planning and construction.  Current law allows school districts to
accept bids using design-build contracts.  Senate Bill 925 authorizes port
authorities and navigation districts to contract and make purchases for
certain projects using design-build contracts and other procedures for
purchases and contracts available to school districts. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 925 amends the Water Code to authorize a navigation district or
port authority  to make a purchase or enter into a contract valued at
$25,000 or more by any method available to a school district under the
provisions for purchases and contracts in the Education Code that in the
opinion of the port commission provides the best value to the navigation
district or port authority.  The provisions of the bill do not apply to a
purchase or a contract for the construction of highways, public roads,
public streets, bridges, water supply projects, water plants, wastewater
plants, or electric generation facilities.  The provisions of the bill also
do not apply to contracts when the navigation district or port authority is
constructing a project for another political subdivision of the state.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.