Texas House Bill HB546

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 12/18/14

Caption

Relating to a prohibition on state contracting for goods produced through forced labor; providing penalties.

Impact

If enacted, this legislation will have significant implications for state procurement processes. Each state agency will be required to include clauses in their contracts that explicitly prohibit the procurement of goods produced, wholly or partially, by forced labor. Vendors will be mandated to provide certification that they or their representatives have not engaged in forced labor practices. Non-compliance with this provision could result in contract termination, administrative penalties, and barring vendors from future state contracts.

Summary

House Bill 546 seeks to address the issue of forced labor in the supply chain by prohibiting state agencies from entering into contracts for goods that are produced through forced labor. The bill defines forced labor as any labor obtained through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. This measure is part of a larger effort to promote ethical sourcing and ensure that state contracts do not contribute to human trafficking or exploitation in any form.

Contention

While the bill primarily aims to uphold ethical standards in state contracting, it is essential to consider potential points of contention. Stakeholders may express concerns regarding the verification processes for vendors and the burden imposed on them to certify compliance. Moreover, there may be discussions around the scope of the definition of forced labor and how it may be interpreted in varied contexts, affecting numerous businesses and industries. This could become a focal point for debate among legislators, advocacy groups, and industry representatives.