Tennessee House Bill HB2262

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/24
• Refer: 2/1/24
• Refer: 2/27/24
• Refer: 3/6/24
• Chaptered: 4/3/24
• Passed: 4/3/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71, Chapter 4, relative to programs for persons with disabilities.

Impact

The passage of HB 2262 is intended to streamline procurement for services and products related to programs serving the blind, thus enhancing efficiency and operational capabilities within these services. By removing the need for traditional bidding processes, the bill could potentially expedite the acquisition of necessary resources, thereby improving service delivery to individuals with disabilities. The legislation is posited to aid in building a more responsive framework for the programs that cater to the blind, aligning with the needs of the business enterprise program meant for them.

Summary

House Bill 2262 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 71, Chapter 4, which pertains to programs for individuals with disabilities. The primary focus of the bill is to facilitate the procurement process for the commissioner of human services or their designee when purchasing materials and services for a business enterprise program intended for the blind. This is achieved by allowing these procurements to proceed without the usual requirement of bid submissions, advertising, or compliance with general purchasing restrictions that typically govern state procurement processes.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment regarding HB 2262 appears to be supportive within the context of enhancing services for persons with disabilities. Advocates of the bill suggest that the relaxed procurement constraints will lead to improved outcomes for beneficiaries of assistance programs. However, there may be concerns regarding the implications of removing competitive bidding, as it could raise issues about transparency and accountability in how public funds are spent.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding HB 2262 revolve around the balance between streamlined operations versus potential oversight losses. Critics may voice concerns about the elimination of competitive purchasing practices, believing this could open the door for mismanagement or a lack of fiscal accountability within the procurement process. The bill specifically excludes software purchases associated with inmate commissary facilities, which may indicate an effort to maintain some level of oversight in particular areas while granting more freedom in others.