By: Slawson H.B. No. 2169
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain contracts for the lease, license, sale, use, or
distribution of the State Bar of Texas' intellectual property.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 81.015, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 81.015. CONTRACTS. (a) To carry out and promote the
objectives of this chapter, subject to Subsection (b), the state
bar may enter into contracts and perform [do] all other acts
incidental to those contracts that are necessary or expedient for
the administration of its affairs and for the attainment of its
purposes.
(b) The state bar may not enter into a contract authorizing
an entity to exclusively lease, license, sell, use, or otherwise
distribute the state bar's intellectual property. Such contracts
must be offered to all interested entities using a standard
contract providing identical terms and conditions to all entities.
SECTION 2. Section 81.0151, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 81.0151. PURCHASING. (a) The board of directors shall
adopt guidelines and procedures for purchasing that are consistent
with the guidelines and procedures in Chapters 2155-2158.
(b) State bar purchases [Purchases] are subject to the
ultimate review of the supreme court. The state bar shall maintain
reports on the [state bar] purchases and shall make those reports
available for review by the state auditor.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a contract for the lease, license, sale, use, or other distribution
of the State Bar of Texas' intellectual property that is entered
into on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. 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, 2025.