Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 2252.121. Definitions

(1) “Contractor” means a person who submits a bid for a public contract.  The term includes a general contractor, a prime contractor, and a subcontractor.

(2) “Disadvantaged or historically underutilized business” means an entity that meets the definition of a historically underutilized business under Section 2161.001 and in which the owners of the business participate in the control, operation, and management of the business in a manner proportionate to their ownership so that the business is clearly controlled by the economically disadvantaged owners.

(3) “Governmental entity” means a state agency or political subdivision of this state.

(4) “Person” means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, or other private legal entity.

(5) “Political subdivision” means a county, municipality, school district, or other special district or authority of this state.

(6) “Public contract” means a purchasing contract or public works contract awarded by a governmental entity.

(7) “State agency” means a board, commission, office, department, or other agency in the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of state government.  The term includes an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.