SENATOR LEMAN announced SB 129 POWERS OF CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER to be up for consideration. SENATOR MILLER moved to adopt the CS to SB 129. There were no objections and it was so ordered. MR. WELKER again testified. He said the committee substitute deletes a blanket reference saying the responsibilities of the chief procurement officer may not be delegated, because there are certain responsibilities that are appropriate to delegate. Section 3 provides for some professional services to fall under the small procurement statutes as do other types of purchases. Section 5 distinguishes emergency procurements from others. Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 were recommended by the Administration. SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS explained Section 4 allows for the delegation of authority for small procurements of professional services. Number 168 DUGAN PETTY, Director, Division of General Services, said currently the statute prohibits a cost plus a percentage of cost contract. They want that to continue, but he still had three areas of concern with this bill. First, the salary of the Chief Procurement Officer should be commensurate with the duties of his position. If the duties changed significantly, the range may very well increase. Second, in Section 5, the emergency procurements section, they propose language saying, "except when there is insufficient time for the Chief Procurement Officer's prior determination." An independent examination of material facts should be at the discretion of the Chief Procurement Officer was the last change MR. PETTY offered. MR. WELKER said setting the salary in statute would make the position more independent from political "pressures." The purpose behind requiring an independent determination was to add some accountability to the position of the Chief Procurement Officer. SENATOR TAYLOR moved to pass CS SB 129 from committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections and it was so ordered.