BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 1689
By: Montford (Gallego/Carter/Munoz)
05-19-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Currently, the Texas Department of Public Safety has a rank system
that employees obtain through promotion and hold for the duration
of their employment.  Employees who obtain a senior rank in the
agency usually do so after acquiring years of service.  The
director does not have the ability, as some other agencies do, to
allow a more compatible, capable employee placement in a designated
key high-level position.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1689 allows the director of the Texas Department
of Public Safety the ability to designate key positions within the
agency. 

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 Chapter 411A, Government Code, by adding Section
411.0071, as follows:

Section 411.0071.  DIRECT APPOINTMENT TO KEY POSITIONS BY THE
DIRECTOR.
(a)  Authorizes the director to designate as a key position a
position in the Texas Department of Public Safety (department) that
involves working directly with the director or working as a special
assignment in the department.

(b)  Authorizes the director to directly appoint a person to a
position designated as a key position under Subsection (a) under
criteria determined solely by the director.  Provides that the
director's appointment of a person to a key position or transfer of
a person from a key position or transfer of a person from a key
position to another position for which the person is qualified is
not subject to Sections 411.007, 411.0075, 411.0076.

SECTION 2. Emergency Clause.
           Effective Date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 1689 was considered by the committee in a formal meeting on
May 19, 1995.  The bill was reported favorably without amendment,
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record
vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays 0 pnv, 4 absent.