78R7900 MXM-D


By:  Chisum, et al.                                               H.B. No. 554

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 554:                                    

By:  Smith of Harris                                          C.S.H.B. No. 554



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to grievance procedures regarding compensation and 
expenses for county and precinct officers.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 152, Local Government 
Code, is amended by adding Section 152.0165 to read as follows:
	Sec. 152.0165.  EXHAUSTION OF REMEDIES BEFORE FILING SUIT 
REGARDING GRIEVANCE.  (a)  An elected county or precinct officer 
may not file suit regarding the officer's salary or personal 
expenses unless a hearing has been requested and held under Section 
152.016.
	(b)  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.  Section 152.0165, Local Government Code, as 
added by this Act, applies only to a civil action filed on or after 
the effective date of this Act.  An action filed before the 
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect 
immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect 
for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.