Texas House Bill HB3013

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 2/28/23
• Out of House Committee: 3/31/23
• Voted on by House: 4/14/23
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/12/23
• Voted on by Senate: 5/16/23
• Governor Action: 6/12/23

Caption

Relating to exempting certain contracts from procurement notice requirements.

Impact

The immediate effect of HB 3013 will be on the procurement procedures outlined in the Texas Government Code, particularly for the GLO. With the changes, the GLO will be able to expedite the hiring of contractors and service providers necessary for effective disaster response, thereby enhancing the state's ability to react swiftly to emergencies. The exemption will allow the GLO to solicit bids and engage services without the prolonged waiting period previously mandated for higher-cost contracts, thus directly impacting the efficiency of disaster recovery operations.

Summary

House Bill 3013 aims to amend the procurement notice requirements for certain contracts by exempting contracts that involve services necessary to respond to natural disasters from the $20 million solicitation posting requirement. This legislation was introduced following concerns raised by the Texas General Land Office (GLO), which highlighted that the prior requirements made the procurement processes more burdensome, especially in times of urgent disaster recovery efforts. By relieving these constraints, the bill seeks to streamline the ability of agencies to efficiently procure essential services during crises.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 3013 appears to be positive among lawmakers, especially those involved in disaster management and recovery. Supporters describe the bill as a practical measure aimed at facilitating timely responses to natural disasters and reducing regulatory burdens on the GLO. There has been a unified effort from various legislative members to readdress the consequences of previous legislation, indicating a recognition of the bill's necessity in promoting public welfare and safety.

Contention

While there appear to be few oppositional voices in the discussions around HB 3013, the contention primarily stems from concerns regarding maintaining appropriate oversight in the procurement process. Some lawmakers may question whether exempting these contracts from general procurement procedures could lead to issues of accountability or potential mismanagement. However, such discussions have not gained significant traction, as the emphasis remains on the urgent need for flexibility in emergency scenarios.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

• Chapter 2262. Statewide Contract Management
  • Section: 051
  • Section: 051
  • Section: 051
  • Section: 051