H.B. No. 2169 amends the Government Code to establish new regulations regarding contracts related to the lease, license, sale, use, or distribution of the State Bar of Texas' intellectual property. The bill specifies that the State Bar may enter into contracts to promote its objectives, but it prohibits the Bar from entering into exclusive contracts for its intellectual property. Instead, such contracts must be offered to all interested entities under identical terms and conditions, ensuring fairness and transparency in the process.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the board of directors of the State Bar adopt purchasing guidelines consistent with existing state procedures and requires that all purchases be subject to the ultimate review of the supreme court. The State Bar is also tasked with maintaining reports on its purchases, which must be made available for review by the state auditor. The changes outlined in this bill will apply only to contracts entered into after the effective date of the Act, which will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 81.015, Government Code 81.0151 (Government Code 81)