LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 26, 2003

TO:	Honorable Robert Talton, Chair, House Committee on Urban Affairs
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1774 by Bailey (Relating to the applicability of The Fire and Police Employee Relations Act.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Local Government Code with respect to the rights of police officers and fire fighters to bargain collectively. It would remove the requirement that an election be held to institute a collective bargaining agreement, would eliminate alternative promotion programs within the civil service system, and would repeal local control of civil service agreements for police and fire fighters in the City of Houston.

Agreements existing at the time provisions of the bill would be enacted would remain in existence until they expire according to their own terms.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.

Local Government Impact

The fiscal impact would vary by political subdivision depending on whether collective bargaining is already in place. The costs of collective bargaining for the political subdivision would be staff time, and in some cases, contracts with a consultant. Otherwise, the fiscal impact would depend on decisions made in the bargaining process.

Source Agencies:	304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:	JK, DLBa