78R5073 SMJ-D
By: Burnam H.B. No. 915
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a minimum wage for public
employees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 619 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 619. MINIMUM WAGE FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
Sec. 619.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter, "local
governmental entity," "public employee," and "state governmental
entity" have the meanings assigned by Section 554.001.
Sec. 619.002. EXEMPTION. This chapter does not apply to a
public employee whose salary is set by the Texas Constitution.
Sec. 619.003. PAYMENT OF MINIMUM WAGE. (a) A state or local
governmental entity shall pay to a public employee a wage that is
not less than the greater of:
(1) the minimum hourly wage determined under Section
619.004; or
(2) the federal minimum hourly wage.
(b) Each state and local governmental entity shall adjust
its salary schedule as necessary beginning with the first full pay
period that begins after a change in the minimum hourly wage
determined in accordance with Subsection (a).
Sec. 619.004. CALCULATION OF MINIMUM WAGE. (a) The minimum
hourly wage under Section 619.003(a)(1) is equal to the average
weekly wage, as determined under Subsection (b), divided by 40.
(b) The average weekly wage is equal to the federal poverty
guideline for a family of four, as issued by the United States
Department of Health and Human Services, divided by 52.
SECTION 2. (a) A state or local governmental entity shall
adopt a salary schedule in accordance with Chapter 619, Government
Code, as added by this Act, not later than October 1, 2003.
(b) A state or local governmental entity shall implement a
salary schedule adopted under Subsection (a) of this section on the
later of October 1, 2003, or the first day of the entity's first
fiscal year that begins after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.