SRC-DPW S.B. 1278 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1278
76R8036 BDH-DBy: Wentworth
State Affairs
4/19/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law entitles state employees who serve as reserve firemen
to leave with pay to attend fire fighter and related training.  No such
provision exists for state employees who serve as reserve peace officers.
This bill would allow state employees who serve as reserve peace officers
to use up to 80 hours of paid leave, per year, to attend training for their
duty as a reserve peace officer. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1278 sets forth guidelines for the use of leave by
certain state employees to attend peace officer training. 

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 Chapter 661F, Government Code, by adding Section 661.152,
as follows: 

Sec. 661.152. LEAVE FOR RESERVE PEACE OFFICERS. Provides that this section
only applies to state employees who serve as reserve peace officers
(employee).  Provides that an employee is entitled to an administrative
leave of absence, not to exceed 80 hours per state fiscal year,  without
loss of compensation or risk of termination for hours during which the
employee receives necessary peace officer training.  Requires an employee
to give reasonable advance notice of intention to use an administrative
leave to attend necessary peace officer training. Requires a state agency
employing an employee requesting administrative leave under this section to
verify the employee's eligibility to take such leave.  Effective date: 90
days after adjournment.