SRC-CTC H.B. 644 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 644 By: Jones, Delwin (Duncan) Intergovernmental Relations 5/11/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE In 1987, the 70th Legislature amended the Local Government Code to provide for salary grievance committees in each county to hear salary grievances by county or precinct offices. While the process may have worked well in some counties, in other counties it has created alleged abuses which resulted in certain county officials receiving salary increases in excess of what the budget allowed and which are not necessarily due to job performance. H.B. 644 authorizes a county to abolish the county's salary grievance committee by local election. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 152B, Local Government Code, by adding Section 152.0165, as follows: Sec. 152.0165. ELECTION TO ABOLISH SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE IN CERTAIN COUNTIES. Sets for the counties to which this section applies. Authorizes the commissioners court by order to call an election on the question of whether the county's salary grievance committee (committee) should be abolished. Sets forth certain requirements for the election and the ballot for the election. Requires the commissioners court to abolish the committee by order if a majority of the qualified voters voting on the proposition at the election approve the proposition. Provides that the abolition takes effect immediately, except as provided by this section. Prohibits the abolition from taking effect under certain circumstances. SECTION 2. Amends Section 152.014(a), Local Government Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.