HBA-DMH C.S.H.B. 1831 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 1831
By: Pickett
Transportation
4/17/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Various state agencies have the authority to enter into a contract with an
outside entity to assist the agency in performing its duties and functions.
Several statutes provide the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
with the authority to contract in specific circumstances.  C.S.H.B. 1831
authorizes TxDOT to contract with any public or private entity to carry out
its responsibilities, powers, and duties and requires TxDOT by rule to
adopt policies and procedures consistent with applicable state procurement
practices for soliciting and awarding the contracts under its authority. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Department of Transportation
in SECTION 1 (Section 201.209, Transportation Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1831 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to contract with any public or private
entity to carry out its powers, duties, and responsibilities. The bill
requires TxDOT, by rule, to adopt policies and procedures consistent with
applicable state procurement practices for soliciting and awarding the
contracts under its authority. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1831 differs from the original by requiring the Texas Department
of Transportation, by rule, to adopt policies and procedures consistent
with applicable state procurement practices for soliciting and awarding the
contracts under its authority.