H.B. No. 679

	AN ACT
	relating to change order approval requirements for certain
	political subdivisions of the state.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 252.048(c), Local Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(c)  If a change order involves a decrease or an increase of
	$50,000 [$25,000] or less, the governing body may grant general
	authority to an administrative official of the municipality to
	approve the change orders.
	SECTION 2.  Section 271.060, Local Government Code, is
	amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
	(c)  A governing body may grant authority to an official or
	employee responsible for purchasing or for administering a contract
	to approve a change order that involves an increase or decrease of
	$50,000 or less.
	SECTION 3.  Section 281.046, Local Government Code, is
	amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
	(f)  The board may grant authority to an official or employee
	responsible for purchasing or for administering a contract to
	approve a change order that involves an increase or decrease of
	$50,000 or less.
	SECTION 4.  Section 325.040, Local Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 325.040.  CHANGE ORDERS. After a construction contract
	is awarded, if the district determines that additional work is
	needed or if the character or type of work, facilities, or
	improvements should be changed, the board may authorize change
	orders to the contract on terms the board approves. A change made
	under this section may not increase or decrease the total cost of
	the contract by more than 25 percent. The board may grant authority
	to an official or employee responsible for purchasing or for
	administering a contract to approve a change order that involves an
	increase or decrease of $50,000 or less.
	SECTION 5.  Section 351.137(c), Local Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(c)  After a construction contract is awarded, if the
	district determines that additional work is needed or if the
	character or type of work, facilities, or improvements should be
	changed, the board may authorize change orders to the contract on
	terms the board approves. The board may grant authority to an
	official or employee responsible for purchasing or for
	administering a contract to approve a change order that involves an
	increase or decrease of $50,000 or less. A change made under this
	subsection may not increase or decrease the total cost of the
	contract by more than 25 percent.
	SECTION 6.  Section 49.273(i), Water Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(i)  If changes in plans or specifications are necessary
	after the performance of the contract is begun, or if it is
	necessary to decrease or increase the quantity of the work to be
	performed or of the materials, equipment, or supplies to be
	furnished, the board may approve change orders making the changes.
	The board may grant authority to an official or employee
	responsible for purchasing or for administering a contract to
	approve a change order that involves an increase or decrease of
	$50,000 or less. The aggregate of the change orders may not
	increase the original contract price by more than 10 percent.
	Additional change orders may be issued only as a result of
	unanticipated conditions encountered during construction, repair,
	or renovation or changes in regulatory criteria or to facilitate
	project coordination with other political entities.
	SECTION 7.  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, 2011.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 679 was passed by the House on April
	7, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not
	voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 679 was passed by the Senate on May
	17, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 31
	, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED:  _____________________
	Date
	_____________________
	Governor