SRC-BWC S.B. 1615 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1615 77R8518 MCK-FBy: Armbrister State Affairs 4/11/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1615 allows the governor to authorize a state agency to grant a state employee a leave of absence without a deduction in salary to perform youth-related volunteer activities. "Youthrelated volunteer activities" is defined, for the purposes of this legislation, as the voluntary provision of a service that primarily benefits low-income children that may include mentoring, tutoring, participation in faith-based youth programs, and children's literacy programs. This bill also states that the amount of leave taken by a state employee to provide youth-related volunteer activities may not exceed 52 hours for a fiscal year. 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 661Z, Government Code, by adding Section 661.915, as follows: Sec. 661.915. LEAVE FOR YOUTH-RELATED VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES. Defines "youth-related volunteer activity." Authorizes the governor to authorize a state agency to grant a state employee a leave of absence without a deduction in salary to perform youth-related volunteer activities. Prohibits leave without a deduction in salary under this section from exceeding 52 hours in a fiscal year. Provides that leave for youth-related volunteer activities is in addition to vacation time and sick leave and is in addition to other leave taken under this chapter. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.