SRC-TAG C.S.H.B. 2829 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 2829 By: Luna (Van de Putte) Criminal Justice 5-23-2003 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Under current law, commissioned state peace officers, such as state troopers and other officers working at the Department of Public Safety (DPS), are paid according to a uniform pay scale. However, some of the state's commissioned peace officers work in a region where a second language is prevalent in the peace officer's assigned area, and proficiency in the second language would enhance the officer's effectiveness in performing his or her duties. C.S.H.B. 2829 authorizes supplemental pay for DPS commissioned officers who display proficiency in a second language that is beneficial to protecting the public safety. 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 the heading to Section 411.016, Government Code, to read as follows: Sec. 411.016. SUPPLEMENTAL PAY FOR OVERTIME HOURS WORKED OR PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, by adding Section 411.0161, as follows: Sec. 411.0161. SUPPLEMENTAL PAY FOR PROFICIENCY IN SECOND LANGUAGE. (a) Authorizes the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to pay a supplement not to exceed $100 a month to an officer commissioned by DPS who is proficient in both English and a second language if DPS determines that the second language is beneficial to protecting the public safety and the commissioned officer is able to demonstrate proficiency in the second language by reading, writing, and demonstrating conversation skills in the second language as determined by DPS. (b) Provides that a supplemental pay under this section is in addition to an officer's regular salary. Sec. 411.0162. SUPPLEMENTAL PAY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) Authorizes DPS, if an officer commissioned by DPS has obtained one of the following degrees, or a number of credit hours equivalent to one of the following degrees, from an accredited public or private college or university, to pay the officer supplemental pay in an amount not to exceed $100 per month for an associate degree; $200 per month for a bachelor degree; or $300 per month for a master's or more advanced degree. (b) Prohibits that the maximum amount of supplemental pay for higher education that DPS may pay to an officer who has obtained more than one of the degrees listed in Subsection (a) is the maximum amount of supplemental pay available under that subsection for the most advanced degree obtained by the officer. SECTION 3. (a) Authorizes DPS to implement Section 411.0161, Government Code, as added by this Act, only during a fiscal period for which the legislature specifically appropriates money to the DPS for the purpose of funding supplemental pay for proficiency in a second language under that section. (b) Authorizes DPS to implement Section 411.0162, Government Code, as added by this Act, only during a fiscal period for which the legislature specifically appropriates money to the DPS for the purpose of funding supplemental pay for higher education under that section. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2005.