SRC-JLB S.B. 844 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 844 78R6373 KSD-FBy: Barrientos Intergovernmental Relations 4/5/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law prohibits collective bargaining by state employees and employers of state political subdivisions. As proposed, S.B. 844 removes the prohibition on collective bargaining by employees of state political subdivisions but does not remove the prohibition on collective bargaining by state employees. 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 Sections 617.002(a) and (c), Government Code, as follows: (a) Prohibits an official of the state from entering into a collective bargaining contract with a labor organization regarding wages, hours, or conditions of employment of public employees. Deletes text prohibiting an official of a political subdivision of the state from engaging in such behavior. (c) Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Amends the heading to Section 617.002, Government Code, to read as follows: Sec. 617.002. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BY STATE EMPLOYEES PROHIBITED. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.