BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 1529
By: Eiland
03-01-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

After a fire fighter or police officer voluntarily leaves a
department and later decides to return, he or she is currently
required to retake an entrance exam before they are reappointed.


PURPOSE

C.S.H.B. 1529 would allow police officers or fire fighters to be
reappointed to the force without taking another entrance exam.


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.


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1: Amends Section 143.021(c) of the Local Government Code,
adding exceptions for sections 143.0251 and 143.1251.

Section 2: Amends Section 143.0251 of the Local Government Code to
allow the commission to adopt rules to allow a police officer who
voluntarily resigns from the department to be reappointed without
having to take another departmental exam.

Section 3: Amends Section 143.1251 of the Local Government Code to
allow the commission to adopt rules to allow a police officer who
voluntarily resigns from the department to be reappointed without
having to take another departmental exam.

Section 4: Effective date.

Section 5: Emergency clause.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute eliminates the applicability of these provisions to
fire fighters.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 1529 was considered in public hearing on March 6, 1995.  The
following people testified in favor of the bill: Rep. Eiland; James
Anderson, representing the Pasadena Police Patrolman's Union; Dick
R. Brock, representing Texas Municipal Police Association; Ken
Bailey, representing Texas State Association of Fire Fighters;
Jerry Purdon, representing Texas City Police Department; and Mike
Hines, representing Texas Commission on Fire Protection.  The
committee considered a complete substitute for the bill.  No
amendments were offered.  The substitute was adopted without
objection.  The bill was reported favorably, as substituted, with
the recommendation that it do pass by a record vote of 7 ayes, 0
nays, 0 pnv, and 2 absent.