S.B. 674 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 674
By: Estes
Law Enforcement
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 77th Texas Legislature passed legislation that allowed Department of
Public Safety (DPS) officers who are required to work on a national or
state holiday that falls on a weekend to be awarded compensatory time off
at the rate of one hour for each hour worked on the holiday.  However,
this legislation did not apply to other state peace officers in similar
situations.  As proposed, Senate Bill 674 includes all state peace
officers as defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, in the
list of officers granted compensatory time when required to work on a
national or state holiday that falls on a weekend.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 674 amends Section 662.005 of the Government Code by providing
that a state employee who is a peace officer commissioned by a state
officer or state agency listed under Article 2.12 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure (Who Are Peace Officers), and who is required to work on a
national or state holiday that falls on a Saturday or Sunday, is entitled
to compensatory time off at the rate of one hour for each hour worked on
the holiday, except as provided by Section 662.010 (Holiday Before Work
Begins or After Work Ends) and notwithstanding Section 659.015 (Overtime
Compensation for Employees Subject to Fair Labor Standards Act) or another
law.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.