78R4303 JMM-D

By:  Capelo                                                       H.B. No. 3160



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to collective bargaining by employees of local 
governments.        
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.   Section 617.002, Government Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	Sec. 617.002.  COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BY STATE [PUBLIC] 
EMPLOYEES PROHIBITED. (a)  An official of the state [or of a 
political subdivision of the state] may not enter into a collective 
bargaining contract with a labor organization regarding wages, 
hours, or conditions of employment of public employees.
	(b)  A contract entered into in violation of Subsection (a) 
is void.         
	(c)  An official of the state [or of a political subdivision 
of the state] may not recognize a labor organization as the 
bargaining agent for a group of public employees.
	SECTION 2.  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.