S.B. No. 538 AN ACT relating to information technology purchased through the Department of Information Resources. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 2157.068(a) and (e-3), Government Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) In this section, "commodity items" means commercial software, hardware, or technology services, other than telecommunications services, that are generally available to businesses or the public and for which the department determines that a reasonable demand exists from [in] two or more customers, including state agencies and political subdivisions of this state, entities described by Subsection (j), and governmental entities of another state, that purchase the items through the department. The term includes seat management, through which a customer [state agency] transfers its personal computer equipment and service responsibilities to a private vendor to manage the personal computing needs for each desktop of the customer [in the state agency], including all necessary hardware, software, and support services. (e-3) The procedural requirements of Subsection (e-1) and the limitation prescribed by Subsection (e-2) do not apply to a state agency's purchase of commodity items under a department contract for the bulk purchase of commodity items intended for use by more than one customer [state agency]. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 538 passed the Senate on April 19, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 11, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 538 passed the House, with amendment, on April 28, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, one present not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor