HBA-MSH S.B. 874 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 874
By: Lindsay
County Affairs
4/22/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law does not authorize counties to require pre-bid conferences as a
precondition for having a bid accepted for goods and services. Pre-bid
conferences are useful for establishing a clear project understanding for
all bidders. Such conferences clarify basic requirements and procedures for
bidding, highlight specific project issues that must be addressed, and
provide a forum for questions and answers in the presence of other
prospective bidders.  Senate Bill 874 authorizes a county or other
governmental entity in a county to require pre-bid conferences as a
precondition for having a bid accepted for goods and 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. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 874  amends the Local Government Code to modify the purchasing
authority of a county, conservation district, or reclamation district to
authorize the commissioners court or governing body to require attendance
by a principal, officer, or employee of each prospective bidder at
mandatory pre-bid conferences conducted to discuss contract requirements
and answer questions of prospective bidders. If such attendance is required
in determining the lowest and best bid for a contract, a commissioners
court is authorized to condition acceptance of bids on that attendance.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

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