BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2157
88R4450 RDS-F	By: Metcalf (Zaffirini)
	Business & Commerce
	5/9/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The State of Texas Position Classification Plan is designed to ensure that state employees are classified appropriately and consistently while helping to promote salary parity for similar positions across state agencies. State law, however, currently does not provide agencies with enough flexibility to accommodate cases when qualified employees apply for a new position with the same job classification code within their agency but cannot be offered the posted salary. H.B. 2157 would provide greater flexibility to state agencies to adjust the salary paid to these employees. This would ensure that state employees are fairly compensated based on their qualifications and experience.

H.B. 2157 amends current law relating to the salary of certain employees who transfer within a state agency.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter K, Chapter 659, Government Code, by adding Section 659.2532, as follows:

Sec. 659.2532. TRANSFER WITHIN AGENCY BETWEEN CLASSIFIED POSITIONS WITH SAME POSITION TITLE WHEN EMPLOYEE IS COMPETITIVELY SELECTED. (a) Defines "classified position."

(b) Authorizes a state employee's annual salary rate immediately after a transfer to be set at any rate in the appropriate salary group if the employee:

(1) transfers within a state agency between two classified positions that:

(A) are allocated to the same salary group; and

(B) have the same position title as listed in the General Appropriations Act;

(2) transfers to a position for which the employment opening is publicly listed in accordance with Chapter 656 (Job Notices and Training);

(3) voluntarily applies for the position to which the employee transfers; and

(4) agrees to accept the position to which the employee transfers at the publicly listed salary.

SECTION 2. Makes application of Section 659.2532, Government Code, as added by this Act, prospective to September 1, 2023.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.