Students of centralized purchasing give Texas the credit for being the pioneer state in the movement. With the creation of the office of purchasing agent for the eleemosynary institutions in 1899, centralized purchasing in state government is said to have had its beginning. Purchasing organization in Texas remained unchanged until 1919, when, following an investigation into all departments by a legislative committee, a number of departments, including that of the state purchasing agent, were consolidated into a state board of control.

This board is composed of three members appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate, for a term of six years, one member being appointed every two years. Each member receives $5,000 a year. A division of purchasing is one of six divisions under the board, others being (1) public printing, (2) auditing, (3) design, construction, and maintenance, (4) estimates and appropriations, and (5) eleemosynary institutions. The board is authorized to appoint a chief of the purchasing division, whose qualifications are prescribed by law. But since its organization in 1920, no chief of the purchasing division has been appointed, a member of the board taking direct charge of this division. In addition to the board member, four other people are engaged in the work of this division, including an assistant purchasing agent. No increase in personnel has occurred since the organization of the board. Responsibility is vested in the board for purchasing all supplies used by the departments and institutions of the state, including furniture and fixtures, and all other things except strictly perishable goods, technical instruments, and books.