BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1213
79R339 RMB-F By: Harper-Brown (Deuell)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
New recruits to police and fire departments are required to pass a physical examination before being accepted into their respective academies, yet there are no incentives for officers and fire fighters to maintain a minimum level of physical fitness during their time on the force. H.B. 1213 permits municipalities to authorize fitness incentive pay for each fire fighter or police officer who meets established fitness criteria.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 143.041(c), Local Government Code, to provide that in addition to the base salary, each fire fighter or police officer is entitled to fitness incentive pay as authorized by Section 143.044, if applicable. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Amends the heading to Section 143.044, Local Government Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 143.044. CERTIFICATION, EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE, AND FITNESS INCENTIVE PAY.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 143.044, Local Government Code, by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e), as follows:
(d) Authorizes the municipality's governing body, if the criteria for fitness incentive pay are clearly established, are in writing, and are applied equally to each fire fighter or police officer in a municipality who meets the criteria, to authorize fitness incentive pay for each fire fighter or police officer who successfully meets the criteria.
(e) Redesignated from existing Subsection (d). Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2005.