88R9997 MP-F By: Holland H.B. No. 2777 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the contracting authority of the Parks and Wildlife Department. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 11.0171, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) If the executive director or the executive director's designee does not receive any responsive bids on a competitive solicitation for goods or services, the executive director or the executive director's designee after making a written determination that competition is not available may negotiate with and award the contract to any qualified vendor who meets the requirements of the original solicitation. SECTION 2. Section 11.0171(c), Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a contract for which bids are first solicited on or after the effective date of this Act. A contract for which bids are first solicited before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. 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, 2023.