SRC-JRN S.B. 396 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 396
By: Gallegos
Intergovernmental Relations
3-12-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, an agreement between a municipality and a fire fighter's
association is prohibited from diminishing any right of an employee under
Subchapter H, Local Government Code, or other law unless approved by a
majority vote by secret ballot of the members of the firefighter's
association recognized as the bargaining agent.  However, it may be
unclear if an agreement is ratified if a majority of the votes cast in the
membership election is in favor of ratification.  This bill provides that
an agreement may not diminish the rights of an employee unless approved by
a secret ballot election of the members of the firefighter's association. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 396 provides that an agreement may not diminish the
rights of an employee unless approved by a secret ballot election of the
members of the fire fighter's association. 

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 Section 143.207(c), Local Government Code, to authorize
an agreement under Subchapter H, Chapter 143 of this code, not to diminish
or qualify any right of an employee under this chapter or other law unless
approved by a secret ballot election of the firefighter's association
members, instead of a majority vote by secret ballot of the members.
Provides that the agreement is approved if a majority of votes actually
received in the election are in favor of adopting the agreement. 

SECTION 2. Effective date:  June 3, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.