SRC-SEW S.B. 799 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 799
77R6288 MCK-DBy: Duncan
State Affairs
2/28/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there are variations in the way state agencies capture and
report data on the reasons employees terminate employment with the state.
Given these variations, the validity of the data reported to the state
auditor may be in question.  Problems with the data may stem from a lack of
standardization, a failure to collect the appropriate data, or failure to
record it properly.  Also, the reason for termination may be subject to
interpretation by whomever is entering the data into the payroll and
personnel systems at the employing agency.  The state auditor reports that
state employee turnover cost the state between $127 million and $254
million in 1999.  Efforts to reduce state employee turnover are hindered if
the causes of such turnover cannot be determined.  As proposed, S.B. 799
requires the state auditor to develop an exit interview questionnaire, in
consultation with the comptroller's office, to be posted on the auditor's
Internet site and completed by terminating employees in accordance with
certain stated conditions.  This bill also requires the state auditor to
submit a report to each state agency containing the responses submitted by
each former employee of the agency and authorizes the state auditor to
audit each state agency's records to determine whether the agency is in
compliance with the requirements set forth in the bill.  

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 651, Government Code, by adding Section 651.007,
as follows: 

 Sec. 651.007.  EXIT INTERVIEWS.  (a) Defines "state agency."

(b) Requires each state agency to conduct an exit interview with an
employee who leaves employment with the agency.  Requires the agency to
conduct the exit interview by having the employee access the questionnaire
posted on the state auditor's Internet site and electronically submit the
completed questionnaire to the state auditor. 

(c) Requires the state agency to conduct the exit interview in a manner
that allows the employee alone to describe the employee's reason for
leaving employment.  Prohibits the state agency from altering the
description stated by the employee. 

(d) Requires the state auditor to develop the exit interview questionnaire
and consult with the comptroller in doing so. 

(e) Requires the state auditor, not later than the 15th day following the
end of the calendar quarter, to submit a report to each state agency
containing the responses to the exit interview questionnaire submitted by
each former employee of the agency during the preceding quarter. 

 (f) Authorizes the state auditor to audit each state agency's records to
determine whether the agency is complying with the requirements of this
section. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.