BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1171

By: Cole

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services personnel are currently entitled to civil service status under Chapter 143, Local Government Code, which applies that entitlement to a municipality with a population of 460,000 or more that operates under a city manager form of government. In May 2021, Austin voters rejected a proposition to change from a city manager form of government to a strong mayor-council form of government, which would have excluded Austin-Travis County EMS from civil service status. H.B. 1171 seeks to ratify and preserve this status for Austin-Travis County EMS, in the event that Austin voters change the type of city government in the future.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1171 amends the Local Government Code to expand the authorization for a municipality with a population of 460,000 or more to elect to adopt or repeal provisions regarding the civil service status of emergency medical services personnel to include a municipality that operated under a city manager form of government on the date the municipality adopted those provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.