BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 148
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, persons appointed to fire or police departments serve on probationary status for 52 weeks from the date of hire. This probationary period includes 18 weeks of basic training, 15 weeks of field training with an officer and up to an additional eight hours of classroom training at the discretion of the department. The remaining probationary period allows only nine weeks of departmental evaluation as the new officer or firefighter acts in full capacity.
H.B. 148 amends the Local Government Code to allow the civil service commissions within each municipality to extend the probationary period up to six additional months for new police and firefighter recruits.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 143.027(a), Local Government Code, to authorize the Fire Fighters' and Police Officers' Civil Service Commission (commission) by rule to extend the probationary period by not longer than six months for certain persons.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES
Committee Amendment No. 1:
Amend H.B. 148 on page 1, line 10, after the period, strike "The", and insert "In a municipality with a population less than 1.9 million, the".