By: Davis S.B. No. 1864 (In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2011; March 24, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security; April 26, 2011, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 1; April 26, 2011, sent to printer.) COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1864 By: Davis A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the awarding of contracts by the Texas Department of Transportation to private sector providers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 223, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 223.049 to read as follows: Sec. 223.049. PREFERENCE FOR CERTAIN PROVIDERS. (a) In awarding a contract to a private sector provider, the department shall give preference to a private sector provider if: (1) the preference serves to create a positive economic impact on job growth and job retention in this state; (2) the transportation project for which the contract is being awarded is funded entirely from: (A) state funds; (B) local funds; or (C) a combination of state and local funds; and (3) the provider meets department expectations regarding price for the contract. (b) The department, in determining whether the preference serves to create a positive economic impact on job growth and job retention in this state under Subsection (a), may consider a private sector provider's employment presence and business establishments in this state. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011. * * * * *