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.