BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 1770
                                            By: Lewis, R. (Ellis)
                                      Intergovernmental Relations
                                                          5-11-95
                                Senate Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

Under current law, sheriff's department officers in municipalities
with populations of 10,000 or more and counties with populations of
75,000 or more have access to voters regarding their pay benefits. 
The commissioners court can either agree to a request, make a
counter offer, or reject a request.  Upon rejection, voters can
petition the court for a pay referendum.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1770 authorizes the qualified voters of a county
with a population of more than 30,000, rather than 75,000, to
petition the commissioners court of the county to increase the
minimum salary of members of the county sheriff's department.

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 Section 152.072(a), Local Government Code, to
authorize the qualified voters of a county with a population of
more than 30,000, rather than 75,000, to petition the commissioners
court of the county to increase the minimum salary of each member
of the sheriff's department.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 152.073(a), Local Government Code, to
make a conforming change.

SECTION 3.     Amends Section 157.021, Local Government Code, as
follows:

     Sec. 157.021.  New heading:  HOURS OF WORK OF COUNTY
     EMPLOYEES.  (a)  Created from existing text.
     
     (b)  Authorizes the commissioners court of any county to
       adopt and enforce uniform rules on overtime and compensatory
       time for department heads, assistants, deputies, and other
       employees whose compensation is set or approved by the
       commissioners court.  Provides that the rules may prohibit
       unbudgeted overtime, except when the commissioners court or
       an elected county or district officer declares an emergency;
       and require that emergency overtime be reported to the
       county auditor and the commissioners court.
       
       SECTION 4.   Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.