TITLE: Relating to the selection of providers of professional services by governmental entities.

SUMMARY: Relating to the selection of providers of professional services by governmental entities.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the selection of providers of professional services by governmental entities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 2254.003, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1) Unless inconsistent with the criteria in Subsection (a), a governmental entity selecting a provider of or awarding a contract for professional services may consider: (1) the impact on the entity's ability to comply with laws, rules, or policies regarding, as applicable: (A) historically underutilized or minority-owned businesses; (B) small business development programs; and (C) any other contracting program approved by the entity that relates to Paragraph (A) or (B); and (2) the locations of the provider's or group or association of providers' places of business where the work will be performed if, in the entity's governing body's judgment, the location of the places of business where the work will be performed will impact the most efficient and economical provision of the services. SECTION 2. Section 2254.004, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1) Unless inconsistent with the criteria in Subsection (a), a governmental entity selecting a provider of or awarding a contract for architectural, engineering, or land surveying services may consider: (1) the impact on the entity's ability to comply with laws, rules, or policies regarding, as applicable: (A) historically underutilized or minority-owned businesses; (B) small business development programs; and (C) any other contracting program approved by the entity that relates to Paragraph (A) or (B); and (2) the locations of the provider's places of business where the work will be preformed if, in the entity's governing body's judgement, the location of the places of business where the work will be performed will impact the most efficient and economical provision of the services. SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a contract for which an invitation for offers, request for proposals, request for qualifications, or other similar solicitation is first published or distributed on or after the effective date of this Act. A contract for which an invitation for offers, request for proposals, request for qualifications, or other similar solicitation is first published or distributed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the invitation, request, or other solicitation is published or distributed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.