Texas House Bill HB2820

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/17/09
• Voted on by House: 5/12/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/20/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/26/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Report Pass: 5/20/09
• Enrolled: 5/28/09
• Vetoed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to contracts by governmental entities for professional services relating to geoscience and landscape architecture.

Impact

By including professional geoscience in the legal definition of professional services, HB2820 has significant implications for state laws related to contracting practices. The bill requires that governmental entities first select the most qualified providers based on demonstrated competence before entering negotiations. This process aims to ensure that contracts are awarded to the most qualified professionals, which, in theory, should improve the quality of services provided to the state and its various entities.

Summary

House Bill 2820 addresses the procurement process for governmental entities in Texas concerning professional services related to geoscience and landscape architecture. The primary focus of the bill is to amend existing state law to include professional geoscientists as recognized providers of professional services. This alteration expands the scope of services that governmental entities can procure, thus enhancing the participation of geoscientists in public sector projects requiring their expertise.

Contention

While the bill is largely technical in nature, it may face scrutiny from those concerned about widening the scope of professional services without checks and balances. Stakeholders involved in the fields of architecture and engineering might express apprehension that including geoscientists could complicate the procurement process. Additionally, the effectiveness of the qualification selection process and whether it prevents potential favoritism or misallocation of contracts may arise as points of discussion among legislators and industry practitioners.