89R8417 DRS-D     By: Bell of Montgomery H.B. No. 4314       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to prohibiting certain preferences in a political   subdivision contractor selection process.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 271, Local Government   Code, is amended by adding Section 271.909 to read as follows:          Sec. 271.909.  CERTAIN CONTRACTING PREFERENCES PROHIBITED.   (a)  In this section, "company" means a sole proprietorship,   organization, association, corporation, partnership, joint   venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or   limited liability company, including a wholly owned subsidiary,   majority-owned subsidiary, parent company, or affiliate of those   entities or business associations, that exists to make a profit.          (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, a political subdivision   may not disqualify in any way a vendor in a contractor selection   process because the vendor:                (1)  is a company that engages in the exploration,   production, use, transportation, sale, or manufacturing of fossil   fuel-based energy; or                (2)  invests in, assists in, or does business with a   company described by Subdivision (1).          SECTION 2.  Section 271.909, Local Government Code, as added   by this Act, applies only to a contractor selection process   initiated on or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.