By:  Lindsay                                          S.B. No. 1780
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to a sheriff's appeal to a district court of a decision by
 1-3     a civil service commission.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subsections (a) and (c), Section 158.037, Local
 1-6     Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
 1-7           (a)  An employee who, on a final decision by the commission,
 1-8     is demoted, suspended, or removed from a position may appeal the
 1-9     decision by filing a petition in a district court in the county
1-10     within 30 days after the date of the decision.  The sheriff may
1-11     appeal a final commission decision that reverses or modifies an
1-12     employee's demotion, suspension, or removal by filing a petition in
1-13     a district court in the county within 30 days after the date of the
1-14     decision.
1-15           (c)  If the district court renders judgment for the
1-16     petitioner, the court may order reinstatement of the employee,
1-17     payment of back pay, or other appropriate relief.  If the district
1-18     court renders judgment for the sheriff, the court shall reverse the
1-19     decision of the commission and affirm the decision of the sheriff.
1-20           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.