Governor Abbott wrote agency heads expressing support for Senator Nelson’s SB 355.  The Governor highlights the following from SB 353:

• “Require public disclosure of all no-bid contracts and a public justihcation for using such a procurement method;
• Require that all agency employees involved in procurement or contract management disclose any possible conflicts of interest;
• Prohibit contracts with business entities with which high-level agency leadership or staff have a financial interest;
• Require that the agency’s board chair sign any contract valued at more than $1 million- or delegate signature authority to the agency head;
• For procurements of more than $5 million, require the agency’s central contracting office or procurement director to sign off on the procurement method and to indicate, in writing, to the Board and agency head any potential issue that could arise in the contract solicitation. “

Governor Abbott Press Release   SB 353