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.