BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 288
By: Bailey
April 13, 1995
Committee Report (Amended)


BACKGROUND

Four years ago, the Legislature voted to allow public school and
state employees, which include university employees, to designate
a portion of their earned income to certain organizations.

Junior college employees are not considered to be state employees,
and many junior colleges maintain they are not covered under the
public school code. Therefore, junior college employees are denied
the same right afforded to public school and university employees.
This bill simply extends that right to junior college employees.


PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 288 gives junior college district employees the
right to voluntarily designate a portion of their earned income to
certain organizations.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

     SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Education Code,
by adding Section 130.008 to read as follows:

     SECTION 130.008. VOLUNTARY SALARY DEDUCTIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS. (a) A junior college district employee, on a form
prescribed by the junior college district, may authorize a
deduction each pay period from the employee's salary or wage for a
contribution to a professional organization.

(b) The payroll deduction must be accomplished in a manner
prescribed by the financial officer of the junior college district.

(c) The employee may change or revoke the authorization by written
notice.

(d) A junior college district may charge an administrative fee not
to exceed the lesser of:

     (1) the actual administrative cost of making the deduction; or

     (2) the administrative fee the district charges for other
salary deductions.

     SECTION 2.     Emergency clause.
               Effective date: upon passage.




EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

On page 1, line 8 and 12, "academic" is inserted before
"professional."

The amendment clarifies that the employee's salary or wage payment
for a contribution will be to a professional academic organization.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 288 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
February 21, 1995.

The chair recognized Representative Kevin Bailey to explain the
bill.

The following persons testified in favor of the bill:
Ms. Marsha Self;
Mr. Walter Hinojosa; and
Mr. Charles Zucker.

The following person testified against the bill:
Mr. Ted Roberts.

The chair recognized Representative Kevin Bailey to close.

The bill was referred to a subcommittee to be named later by the
chair.

On February 23, 1995, the chair named the following subcommittee
members:  Representative Ogden as chair and Representatives Moreno
and Rodriguez.

After being recalled from subcommittee, the bill was considered by
the committee in a  public hearing on April 11, 1995.

The committee considered one amendment to the bill.

The amendment was adopted by a record vote of 4 ayes, 1 nay, 2 pnv,
2 absent.

The bill was reported favorably as amended, with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay,
0 pnv, 2 absent.