SRC-JRN S.B. 545 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 545
By: Carona
Intergovernmental Relations
2-19-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, state law prohibits certain persons who are civil service
employees from being terminated while pending cases against them are still
under review.  A city is not allowed to terminate civil service employees
who face the  possibility of a felony conviction, because such cases do
not have the status of final disposition as required by state law.  This
bill allows a city to terminate certain civil service employees, thus
allowing the city to fill a position that might otherwise remain vacant. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 545 allows a city to terminate certain civil service
employees, thus allowing the city to fill a position that might otherwise
remain vacant. 

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 143.056, Local Government Code, to provide that
conviction of a felony is cause for dismissal, without regard to whether
the conviction is or may be appealed. Authorizes a department head to
indefinitely suspend a fire fighter or police officer without regard to
certain circumstances on the entry of a judgment by certain courts
convicting a fire fighter or police officer of a felony.  Provides that
this section does not apply to a municipality in which Section 143.1017
applies. 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.