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.