88R2298 RDS-D
By: J. Johnson of Harris H.B. No. 243
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the historically underutilized business task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 2161, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2161.067 to read as follows:
Sec. 2161.067. HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESS TASK
FORCE. (a) In this section, "task force" means the historically
underutilized business task force established under this section.
(b) The historically underutilized business task force is
established to:
(1) review each state agency's outreach efforts,
policies, and bidding processes;
(2) evaluate the amount of access to contracting
opportunities available to historically underutilized businesses
compared to other businesses;
(3) share effective practices among different state
agencies;
(4) recommend to the legislature and state agencies
strategies to:
(A) promote full and good faith compliance with
this chapter in state contracting;
(B) increase participation of historically
underutilized businesses in state contracting; and
(C) address other topics related to historically
underutilized businesses; and
(5) perform other duties as assigned by the
comptroller and presiding officer.
(c) The task force shall consist of:
(1) one historically underutilized business
coordinator from each state agency with a biennial budget that
exceeds $10 million, as described in Section 2161.062(e);
(2) one member appointed by the governor;
(3) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;
and
(4) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives.
(d) Members of the task force that are appointed by the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house serve
staggered terms of two years, with one or two members' terms
expiring December 1 of each year.
(e) The member appointed by the governor shall serve as the
initial presiding officer of the task force for a two-year term.
The task force shall elect succeeding presiding officers from among
its membership at the first meeting following the expiration of the
presiding officer's term.
(f) The task force shall meet quarterly at the call of the
presiding officer.
(g) Not later than December 1 of each year, the task force
shall prepare and submit to the governor, the legislature, and each
state agency a written report summarizing the task force's findings
and recommendations, including legislative recommendations.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2023, the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
shall each appoint one member to the historically underutilized
business task force as required under Section 2161.067, Government
Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2023, the presiding
officer of the historically underutilized business task force
created under Section 2161.067, Government Code, as added by this
Act, shall call the first meeting of the task force.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.