SRC-TJG S.C.R. 31 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.C.R. 31
By: Barrientos
Finance
4/17/2003
As Filed


DIGEST

The State of Texas is committed to providing a total compensation package
that enables the State to attract, motivate, and retain highly skilled and
talented employees.  A competitive total compensation package includes an
effective salary administration program, a comprehensive benefits package,
and an employee retirement system. 

PURPOSE
 
Provides that the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby formalizes
the State of Texas Compensation Philosophy as stated herein.  Provides
that the state uses the Position Classification Plan (plan) to pay
employees performing similar jobs across agencies at similar rates.
Provides that the plan outlines specific job titles and occupational
groups and establishes salary groups for each job title.  Provides that
the legislature sets not-to-exceed rates for a limited number of
high-level, executive positions, which are exempt from the plan.  Provides
that the state uses three salary schedules, which define certain salary
ranges for certain job titles. Authorizes the legislature, to the extent
funds are available, to increase the salary ranges of Salary Schedules A
and B so that they fall within 10 percent of the market, based on the
midpoints of the salary groups.  Authorizes the legislature, to the extent
funds are available, to increase Salary Schedule C actual salaries so that
they fall in line with the average salaries of Texas' city police
departments.  Authorizes the legislature, to the extent funds are
available, to fund across-the-board increases for employees in Salary
Schedules A and B at not less than 75 percent of the Consumer Price Index
for the preceding calendar year as reported by the United States Bureau of
Labor.  Authorizes the legislature, to the extent funds are available, to
set aside a pool of money to be used by agencies that meet certain
performance levels as outlined in the General Appropriations Act.
Authorizes qualifying agencies to use this money to grant lumpsum rewards
to employees with outstanding performance that contributed to the
agencies' success.  Authorizes the legislature, to the extent funds are
available, to provide funding to agencies to encourage granting merit and
one-time merit increases to employees with high performance in order to
move employees' base pay throughout their salary ranges.  Authorizes the
legislature, to the extent funds are available, to provide certain
correctional positions at the Department of Criminal Justice and the Youth
Commission with automatic salary increases based on the length of time
worked in their position.  Provides that the State of Texas will offer a
comprehensive benefits package, including an insurance program, deferred
compensation system, and tax-deferred spending accounts.  Provides that to
the extent funds are available, the legislature will fund 100 percent of
employees' health insurance coverage and 50 percent of dependent coverage.
Provides that the state will offer a defined benefit retirement program
that provides an annuity to employees who have reached certain age and
years-of-service requirements.  Provides that the state will pay health
insurance premiums for retirees and their dependents after the retiree has
10 years of state service.  Provides that employees are eligible for
disability retirement if they become disabled while performing their work,
regardless of age or length of service.  Authorizes employees'
beneficiaries to receive certain benefits if the employee dies before
retirement.