BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 1213

                                                                                                                              By: Harper-Brown

                                                                                                                                      Urban Affairs

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

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.  HB 1213 permits municipalities to authorize fitness incentive pay for each fire fighter or police officer who meets established fitness criteria.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

Amends Section 143.041 and Section 143.044 of the Local Government Code, to establish that if criteria for fitness incentive pay are clearly established, are in writing, and are applied equally to each fire fighter and police officer, municipalities may authorize fitness incentive pay for each fire fighter or police officer who successfully meets the criteria.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.