SRC-HRD S.B. 928 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 928
By: Gallegos
Intergovernmental Relations
3-27-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law provides general provisions on benefits and working
conditions of municipal employees, as well as rules to be administered by
the Civil Service Commission and rules for employment as firefighters and
police officers in certain municipalities.  S.B. 928 would make changes in
terminology regarding hours worked, add an additional college hours
prerequisite to the beginning positions, and extend the probationary
period.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 928 increases the number of credit hours a person must
have to be certified as eligible for a beginning position with a fire
department; sets forth provisions regarding a probationary period for
persons appointed to beginning positions in police or fire departments;
authorizes the head of a fire department to require all firefighters in
one or more classifications to obtain and maintain emergency medical
services personnel certification;  and also replaces references to "a
calendar year" with "the appropriate 72-day work cycle." 

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 Sections 142.0017(b) and (d), Local Government Code, to
prohibit a fire fighter or fire fighter emergency medical personnel from
being required or permitted to work more than an average of 46.7 hours a
week during the appropriate 72-day work cycle, rather than during a
calendar year.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 143.027(a), Local Government Code, to provide
that this subsection does not apply to a municipality with a population of
1.5 million or more. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 143.1051, Local Government Code, to require a
person to meet certain requirements in addition to meeting the eligibility
requirements prescribed by Section 143.023, to be certified as eligible
for a beginning position with a fire department. 

SECTION 4. Amends Chapter 143G, Local Government Code, by adding Section
143.1052, as follows: 

Sec. 143.1052.  PROBATIONARY PERIOD.  Requires a person appointed to a
beginning position in the police department to serve a probationary period
of one year beginning on that person's date of employment as a police
officer or academy trainee.  Requires a person appointed to a beginning
position in the fire department to serve a probationary period beginning
on the date of that person's assignment to a fire station and continuing
until the person has completed 2,200 hours of work on duty. 

SECTION 5. Amends Chapter 143G, Local Government code, by adding Section
143.1096, as follows: 

Sec. 143.1096.  EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES CERTIFICATION IN FIRE
DEPARTMENT.  Authorizes the head of the fire department to require all
fire fighters in one or more classifications to obtain and maintain
emergency medical services personnel certification under Chapter 773,
Health and Safety Code.  Authorizes the head of the fire department to
impose any discipline allowed under this chapter, including an indefinite
suspension, on a fire fighter who fails or refuses to comply within a
reasonable time with an order of the department head issued under this
section. 

SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 1997.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 7. Emergency clause.