LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 8, 2003

TO:	Honorable Frank Madla, Chair, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB554 by Chisum (Relating to grievance procedures regarding compensation and expenses for county and precinct officers.), As Engrossed

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Section 152, Local Government Code, to require that before a county or precinct officer could file a lawsuit regarding the officer's salary and personal expenses, that the officer must first follow the grievance procedures. The bill would take effect September 1, 2003 and would apply only to civil actions filed on or after the effective date.

Local Government Impact

Current statute does not specify that an elected county or precinct officer must first follow the grievance procedures before filing a lawsuit regarding salary and personal expenses. Requiring aggrieved elected officers to go through the grievance process prior to filing a lawsuit against the county could result in a savings for the affected county by reducing the number of lawsuits in which the county would be a defendant.

Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:	JK, DLBa