SRC-JJJ H.B. 3624 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3624 By: Swinford (Ogden) Economic Development 5/14/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, because county extension agents are funded by both the state and the county in which they work, both the state and county are liable for the maximum allowable damages in any lawsuit brought against that agent. Counties contend that since the state hires, supervises, and reviews the performance of the extension agent, while the county only supplements the agent's salary, the agent should not be considered a county employee for tort purposes. By removing the extension agent from the list of a county's employees, litigants are prevented from bringing lawsuits related to such an agent against both the state and county. H.B. 3624 removes county extension agents from being considered a county employee for liability purposes. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3624 establishes provisions regarding the persons for whom local governments may pay tort claims. 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 102.001(1), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, to provide that the term "employee" does not include a county extension agent. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.