SRC-JFA H.B. 2750 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2750
By: Hinojosa (Lucio)
Intergovernmental Relations
5-17-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas state law does not authorize certain municipal
firefighters and police officers additional wages for the use and fluency
of an additional language skill other than English.  Many firefighters and
police officers have often responded to emergency calls on incidents which
would require an additional language.  In such cases, additional language
skills become an essential tool in resolving the emergency situation.
This bill would provide additional wages for the use and fluency of an
additional language skill other than English to certain municipal
firefighters and police officers additional wages. 
PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2750 provides additional wages for the use and fluency
of an additional language skill other than English to certain municipal
firefighters and police officers.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 141, Local Government Code, by adding Subchapter
C, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER C.  ADDITIONAL WAGES FOR CERTAIN MUNICIPAL
FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS

Sec. 141.051.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "additional language skill,"
"firefighter," and "police officer."   

Sec. 141.052.  ENTITLEMENT TO ADDITIONAL WAGES FOR CERTAIN SERVICES.
Authorizes a fire or police department to designate a firefighter or
police officer as a bilingual interpreter.  Provides that a firefighter or
police officer who is designated as a bilingual interpreter under this
section is entitled to appropriate additional wages under certain
conditions.   

Sec. 141.053.  DEPARTMENTAL GUIDELINES.  Requires a fire or police
department that designates a firefighter or police officer as a bilingual
interpreter under Section 141.052 to establish guidelines to determine
certain conditions. 

Sec. 141.054.  CIVIL PENALTY.  Provides that a department that fails to
compensate a firefighter or police officer entitled and qualified to
receive additional wages under this subchapter and the departmental
guidelines established under Section 141.053 is liable to the firefighter
or police officer for damages in the amount of lost wages plus interest at
the rate of five percent per annum. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 141.113(c), Local Government Code, to require,
rather than authorize the municipality's governing body to authorize
assignment pay for bilingual personnel performing specialized functions as
interpreters or translators in their respective departments.   

SECTION 3. (a)  Effective date, except as provided in Subsection (b):
September 1, 1997.  
 
(b)  Effective date for Section 141.054, Local Government Code, as added
by this Act: January 1, 1998.  

(c)  Makes application of Section 141.054, Local Government Code, as added
by this Act, prospective. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.