Texas Senate Bill SB1110

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/2/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/16/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/22/09

Caption

Relating to contracts by governmental entities and related professional services and to public works performance and payment bonds.

Impact

The bill modifies various sections of the GovernmentCode, Education Code, and Local Government Code, affecting how contracts are solicited and managed at the local and state levels. It establishes more stringent requirements on how governmental entities should handle contracts, emphasizing the necessity for competitive bidding processes, particularly for contracts exceeding specified amounts. By ensuring that a board of trustees can only enter into agreements that directly benefit district-properties, SB1110 seeks to promote accountability in the utilization of district resources.

Summary

SB1110, relating to contracts by governmental entities and related professional services, addresses the regulations surrounding public works contracts in Texas. The bill introduces changes to existing statutes concerning performance and payment bonds required for public works projects. A significant aspect of this bill is the prohibition of reverse auction procedures for obtaining professional services related to public work contracts, ensuring higher standards for the procurement of critical services. This change aims to strengthen the quality of public works services acquired by government entities.

Contention

Notable contention arises regarding the limitations imposed by this legislation on governmental entities' authority to engage in alternative procurement methods, thereby consolidating power within traditional competitive bidding frameworks. Critics may argue that these restrictions could slow down the process of hiring contractors and limit innovative approaches to project delivery that could be more efficient. This debate reflects broader concerns regarding how flexibility in procurement practices impacts the effectiveness of public service delivery.