The Texas Department of Information Resources (department) proposes amendments to 1 TAC Chapter 201, §201.4, and §201.9 to ensure the rules accurately reflect the department's policies and procedures.

In 1 TAC §201.4, the Department proposes an amendment to require agency employees and officials involved in procurement or contract management to disclose potential conflicts of interest with respect to contracts with private vendors; prohibit the department from entering into contracts with vendors with whom certain department employees or officials have a financial interest; and defines the prohibited financial interest.

In 1 TAC §201.9, the Department proposes correcting a technical error.

The changes to the chapter apply to DIR and will have no effect on state agencies and institutions of higher education. The assessment of the impact of the proposed changes on institutions of higher education was prepared in consultation with the Information Technology Council for Higher Education (ITCHE) in compliance with §2054.121(c), Texas Government Code.

Martin Zelinsky, General Counsel, has determined that during the first five-year period following the amendments to 1 TAC Chapter 201 there will be no fiscal impact on state agencies, institutions of higher education and local governments.

Mr. Zelinsky has further determined that for each year of the first five years following the adoption of the amendments to 1 TAC Chapter 201 there are no anticipated additional economic costs to persons or small businesses required to comply with the amended rules.

Written comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted to Martin Zelinsky, General Counsel, 300 West 15th Street, Suite 1300, Austin, Texas 78701, or to martin.zelinsky@dir.texas.gov. Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication in the Texas Register.

The amendments are proposed pursuant to §2054.052(a), Texas Government Code, which authorizes the department to adopt rules as necessary to implement its responsibilities under Chapter 2054, Texas Government Code; 2255.01, Texas Government Code, which authorizes state agencies to develop rules; and §2001.021(b), Texas Government Code, which authorizes state agencies to, by rule, prescribe the form of a petition under the section.

No other code, article or statute is affected by this proposal.