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.