The bill removes telegraph from the list of ways the comptroller and state agencies may solicit bids for certain purchases. It touches the comptroller, state agencies and vendors who bid on state purchases. On the ground, bids go out by mail, phone, fax or online, with the outdated telegraph option gone and the word 'online' modernized.
Labels
Labels: CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author John McQueeney (R) in the House. Lead sponsor Judith Zaffirini (D) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.QUICK READ: 109 WORDS. The bill as filed runs 109 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).
relating to the manner of solicitation of bids for certain
purchases by the comptroller of public accounts and state agencies.
WHAT IT DOES
The telegraph is out. Took a while!
The bill removes telegraph from the list of ways the comptroller and state agencies may solicit bids for certain purchases. It touches the comptroller, state agencies and vendors who bid on state purchases. On the ground, bids go out by mail, phone, fax or online, with the outdated telegraph option gone and the word 'online' modernized.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.
The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.
Sources
HB 3623 (Zaffirini) Relating to the manner of solicitation of bids for certain purchases by the comptroller of public accounts and state agencies. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: 31 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed
Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.
The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.
Sources
HB 3623 (Zaffirini) Relating to the manner of solicitation of bids for certain purchases by the comptroller of public accounts and state agencies. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: 31 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed
Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.
The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to third reading. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.
Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.
Sources
HB 3623 (Zaffirini) Relating to the manner of solicitation of bids for certain purchases by the comptroller of public accounts and state agencies. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)
Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.
Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed
Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
House committee · Delivery of Government Efficiency · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee
Senate committee · Business & Commerce · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee
Subjects
Purchasing--State
State Agencies, Boards & Commissions
COMPETITIVE BIDDING
COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS
Text
The text as introduced · 109 words
89R3926 CS-D
By: McQueeney
H.B. No. 3623
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the manner of solicitation of bids for certain
purchases by the comptroller of public accounts and state agencies.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2156.063, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 2156.063. SOLICITATION OF BIDS. The comptroller and
each state agency making a purchase shall solicit bids under this
subchapter by:
(1) direct mail;
(2) telephone;
(3) [ telegraph;
[ (4) ] facsimile transmission; or
(4) online [ (5) on-line ] electronic transmission.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Monitoring 