SRC-JEC H.B. 554 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 554
78R7900 MXM-DBy: Chisum (Madla)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/6/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, some elected county or precinct officers who have a salary
grievance wait until after their term of office is over, then file a
lawsuit regarding the salary without having gone through a grievance
process.  H.B. 554 requires county or precinct officers who have a
grievance about their salary or personal expenses to request a hearing
before filing suit. 

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 152, Local Government Code, by
adding Section 152.0165, as follows: 

Sec. 152.0165.  EXHAUSTION OF REMEDIES BEFORE FILING SUIT REGARDING
GRIEVANCE.  (a)  Prohibits an elected county or precinct officer from
filing suit regarding the officer's salary or personal expenses unless a
hearing has been requested and held under Section 152.016. 

(b)  Provides that this section does not affect a defense, immunity, or
jurisdictional bar available to a county or a county official or employee
that is sued by a county or precinct officer based on the officer's
salary, office and travel expenses, or other allowances. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.