Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

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77 th Texas Legislature
Regional Transit Authority, Harris County Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority, and Dallas Area Rapid
Transit Authority.
General Services Commission (Sunset) - S.B. 311
by Senator Zaffirini
House Sponsor: Representative Gallego
The primary function of the General Services Commission (GSC) is to provide central services for state
agencies and, in some cases, local governments. GSC's activities can be organized into three major
categories: procuring goods and services for customers; providing facilities management and construction
services for state agencies; and providing administrative support to agency staff. GSC is subject to the
Texas Sunset Act and will be abolished on September 1, 2001, unless continued in existence by the
legislature. S.B. 311 abolishes GSC and provides for the transfer of its functions to other agencies,
including the newly created Texas Building and Procurement Commission.
Transfers the powers and duties of the General Services Commission under Chapter 2170
(Telecommunications Services) or other law relating to providing telecommunications services to the
Department of Information Resources (DIR), as of October 1, 2001. Transfers the appropriate GSC
employees, rate cases, contracts, and funds to DIR.
Creates the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (commission), an agency subject to the Sunset
Act and abolition on September 1, 2013.
Provides that the commission is composed of three members appointed by the governor, two additional
members appointed by the governor from a list submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives,
and two members appointed by the lieutenant governor. Provides that the governor may reject one or
more of the nominees of the speaker and request a new list of nominees.
Sets out standard Sunset Commission language regarding complaints.
Requires GSC, DIR, and the new commission to establish a transition plan for the transfers described in
the Act.
Requires the commission to develop a schedule of multiple award contracts that have been previously
awarded by certain entities and sets out the requirements for the schedule, including historically
underutilized businesses, reporting requirements, and notices.
Requires the commission to develop initial schedules of multiple award contracts not later than March 1,
2002 and requires the commission to adopt rules not later than January 1, 2002.
Requires the DIR to create a division to oversee the implementation of major information resources
projects.
Creates the Telecommunications Planning and Oversight Council, sets out its membership, and requires it
to perform strategic planning for all state telecommunications services.
Requires the attorney general, in consultation with the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, DIR,
the comptroller, and the state auditor, to develop and periodically update a contract management guide for
Senate Research Center 254