MMA C.S.H.B. 3112 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS HIGHER EDUCATION C.S.H.B. 3112 By: Rangel 4-11-97 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND Current statute prohibits deduction from the compensation paid to an officer or employee whose compensation is paid in full or in part from state funds unless the deduction is authorized by law. Several statutory provisions authorize payroll deductions for such things as membership fees in state employee organizations, employee contributions to Social Security, purchase of savings bonds, and payment to a credit union for share or deposit accounts. However, deduction for payment of parking permits is not authorized. The charge to employees for parking permits has increased in order to cover costs of operations and maintenance of parking facilities. Many employees desire the option to pay for parking permits on an installment basis through payroll deductions rather than one lump sum payment. PURPOSE C.S.H.B. 3112 would authorize institutions of higher education to provide for voluntary deduction from an employee's salary or wage payment for the payment of parking fees or for the purchase of a parking permit. 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 659, Government Code, by adding Subchapter J, to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER J. PAYROLL DEDUCTION OF PARKING FEES AND PERMITS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. Sec. 659.201. DEFINITION. Defines "institution of higher education." Sec. 659.202. DEDUCTION AUTHORIZED. Authorizes an employee of an institution to submit written authorization for a deduction from their salary or wage payment each pay period for the payment of parking fees charged by the institution or to purchase a parking permit. States that this deduction is voluntary. Sec. 659.203. FORM AND MANNER. Requires the appropriate financial officer of the institution to prescribe the form and manner of deductions under this subchapter. Sec. 659.204. CHANGE; DURATION. (a) Permits an employee to change or revoke the authorization with written notice to the financial officer of the institution. (b) Deems authorization under this subchapter effective until the financial officer receives written notice stating otherwise. (c) Requires that the notice given under Subsection (a) be given in the form and manner prescribed by the financial officer of the institution. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 3112 makes non-substantive language changes as recommended by Legislative Council.