HBA-DMD H.B. 2985 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2985 By: Lengefeld State Affairs 4/6/1999 Introduced 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. H.B. 2985 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.