78R7023 YDB-D

By:  Lewis                                                        H.B. No. 2038



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to entrance examinations for beginning positions in the 
fire and police departments of certain municipalities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 143.025(b), Local Government Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(b)  An eligibility list for a beginning position in the fire 
or police department may be created only as a result of a 
competitive examination held in the presence of each applicant for 
the position, except as provided by Subsections (d) and (e).  The 
examination must be based on the person's general knowledge and 
aptitude [knowledge of and qualifications for fire fighting and 
work in the fire department or for police work and work in the 
police department] and must inquire into the applicant's general 
education and mental ability.  A person may not be appointed to the 
fire or police department except as a result of the examination.
	SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to 
an entrance examination held on or after the effective date of this 
Act.  An entrance examination held before the effective date of this 
Act and an eligibility list created from that examination is 
governed by the law in effect on the day the examination was held, 
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.