The bill, H.B. No. 2857, amends the Local Government Code to expand the definition of "personal property" as it pertains to the purchase or acquisition by political subdivisions. The updated definition now includes not only appliances, equipment, facilities, and furnishings but also adds "consultation, assistance, and labor" related to the installation or use of personal property. Additionally, the definition explicitly includes electricity and cloud computing services while clarifying that it does not encompass real property.

Furthermore, the bill modifies Section 271.005(b) to allow the governing body of a governmental agency to contract for the same expanded categories of materials, consultation, assistance, and labor related to the installation or use of personal property. This legislative change is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 271.003, Local Government Code 271.005 (Local Government Code 271)
House Committee Report: Local Government Code 271.003, Local Government Code 271.005 (Local Government Code 271)