SRC-C.S.S.B. 212 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 212 76R6690 KLA-DBy: Duncan Intergovernmental Relations 2/18/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, only fire departments may hold an examination at different locations, if each applicant takes the same examination and is examined in the presence of other applicants. Some police departments must recruit beyond their geographic borders in order to obtain a qualified pool of candidates. The authorization to hold exams in different locations would facilitate active recruitment. C.S.S.B. 212 would authorize a police department to hold entrance examinations at different locations. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 212 authorizes entrance examinations for beginning positions in police departments to be held at certain locations. 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 143.025, Local Government Code, provide that an eligibility list for a beginning position in the fire or police department may be created only as a result of a competitive examinations held in the presence of each applicant for the position, except as provided by Subsections (d) and (e). Provides that this section applies only in a municipality to which Subchapter J does not apply. Requires an examination for beginning positions in the police department to be held at one or more locations in the municipality in which the police department is located and may be held at additional locations outside of the municipality. Requires an examination held at multiple locations to be administered on the same day and at the same time at each location at which it is given. Authorizes only one eligibility list for a police department to be created from that examination, and only one eligibility list may be in effect at a given time. Requires each applicant who takes the examination for the eligibility list to take the examination and be examined in the presence of other applicants for that eligibility list. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 143.025, Local Government Code, to provide that an eligibility list for a beginning position in the fire or police department may be created only as a result of a competitive examination held in the presence of each applicant for the position, except as provided by Subsections (d) and (e). Adds Subsection (e), to provide that this subsection applies only in a municipality to which Subchapter J does not apply. Requires an examination for beginning positions in the police department to be held at one or more locations in the municipality in which the police department is located and may be held at additional locations outside of the municipality. Requires an examination to held at multiple locations to be administered on the same day and at the same time at each location at which it is given. Authorizes only one eligibility list for a police department to be created from that examination and only one eligibility list may be in effect at a given time. Requires each applicant who takes the examination for the eligibility list to take the same examination and be examined in the presence of other applicants for the eligibility list. Makes conforming changes.