TITLE: Relating to the composition of the Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities and certain contract requirements for political subdivisions of this state.

SUMMARY: Relating to the composition of the Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities and certain contract requirements for political subdivisions of this state.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the composition of the Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities and certain contract requirements for political subdivisions of this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 122.003(a) and (b), Human Resources Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) The Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities is composed of nine members selected from the following categories who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate: (1) private citizens conversant with the employment needs of persons with disabilities, including blindness, and with current experience in the pricing and marketing of goods and services; (2) representatives of community rehabilitation programs that represent different disability groups, including persons with blindness, and that provide or seek to provide products produced or services performed by persons with disabilities; (3) representatives of state agencies or political subdivisions that purchase a significant amount of products produced or services performed by persons with disabilities; [and] (4) persons with disabilities;and (5) private industry representatives who have knowledge of: (A) this chapter; and (B) the sale of products and services to state agencies, including the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.(b) The governor shall select two [three] members from the category prescribed by Subsection (a)(1) and at least one member from the other four [three] categories prescribed by Subsection (a). To the extent possible, the governor shall attempt to ensure that the categories prescribed by Subsections (a)(2)-(5) [(a)(2)-(4)] are equally represented on the council. Members of the council serve staggered terms of six years with the terms of three members expiring on January 31 of each odd-numbered year. Members may not receive compensation for their service on the council, but they are entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties as members. SECTION 2. Section 122.017, Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 122.017. PROCUREMENT FOR POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS. (a) A product manufactured for sale to a political subdivision of this state or an office or department of the political subdivision must [thereof shall] be manufactured or produced according to specifications developed by the purchaser. A political subdivision of this state may purchase products or services for its use from private businesses through its authorized purchasing procedures, but may substitute equivalent products or services produced by persons with disabilities under the provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a nonprofit agency for persons with disabilities to engage in competitive bidding. (b) An open and binding contract between a political subdivision of this state, or an office or department of the political subdivision, and a private business may not be superseded or canceled in favor of a nonprofit organization. SECTION 3. A person who is serving as a member of the Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities on the effective date of this Act continues to serve until the person's term expires. When a term expires or a vacancy on the council occurs, the governor shall make appointments in accordance with Section 122.003, Human Resources Code, as amended by this Act. SECTION 4. Section 122.017(b), Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a contract entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of this Act. A contract entered into or renewed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the contract was entered into or renewed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.