79R3420 KEG-D

By:  Isett                                                        H.B. No. 1281



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of spot-incentive awards for certain state 
employees.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter K, Chapter 659, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 659.2552 to read as follows:
	Sec. 659.2552.  SPOT-INCENTIVE AWARDS.  (a)  In this 
section, "spot-incentive award" means a monetary reward provided to 
an employee for individual or group performance or achievement 
deserving of recognition.
	(b)  A state agency may provide a spot-incentive award to a 
state employee who holds a classified position under the state's 
position classification plan:
		(1)  on completion of a significant project that 
promotes the agency's achievement of its goals or mission, in 
recognition of the employee's contribution to the project and 
achievement of the agency's predetermined standards of excellence 
for the project developed under Subsection (c); and
		(2)  on other appropriate occasions in recognition of 
the employee's completion of training, mastery of new skills, or 
achievement of a certification that promotes the agency's 
achievement of its goals or mission, as determined by the agency 
under Subsection (c).
	(c)  Each state agency shall develop and implement detailed 
written policies for the award of spot-incentive awards under this 
section.  The policies shall:
		(1)  specify the type of training, skills, 
certification, or project-related achievements, including a 
cost-saving suggestion, a positive safety record, or above-normal 
productivity, that will make an employee eligible for an award; and
		(2)  establish requirements for substantiating the 
eligibility of an employee for an award.
	(d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, 
the maximum total value of all spot-incentive awards a state agency 
may provide to an individual employee under this section is $1,000 
each fiscal year.
	SECTION 2.  Section 659.2552, Government Code, as added by 
this Act, authorizes only a spot-incentive award presented to a 
state agency employee after the effective date of this Act in 
relation to:
		(1)  work performed on or after the effective date of 
this Act on a significant project for which the management of a 
state agency determines written standards of excellence on or after 
the effective date of this Act; or
		(2)  training, skills, certification, or other 
achievement accomplished on or after the effective date of this Act 
as specified in a written policy developed by a state agency on or 
after the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.