HBA-LCA H.B. 3024 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3024 By: Dutton Urban Affairs 4/5/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In a municipality with a population of 1.5 million or more, current law prohibits ex parte communications with a civil service commission or hearing examiner by either party, while allowing the submission of written motions or briefs if copies are served on the opposing party. H.B. 3024 expands this provision by providing that written briefs or arguments may be submitted only when the hearing official requests them from both parties, and provides at least 14 hours for reply. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 143.1018(a), Local Government Code, as follows: (a) Includes a party to a hearing or the party's representative as entities who are prohibited from communication with a civil service commission, a hearing examiner, or a grievance examiner, unless to offer sworn testimony or argument, in addition to testimony, and unless all parties are present, rather than the other party. Provides that it is not a violation for either party to file written motions, rather than written briefs and written motions. Provides that either party may file written briefs or argument upon request of the commission or examiner. Requires such requests to be in writing and be served to all parties to the hearing or their representatives. Requires such requests to provide a minimum response time of 14 hours. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.