By:  Edwards                                                      H.B. No. 3104



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the recognition of law enforcement officers in certain 
counties.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 174.102, Local Government Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A public employer shall recognize an association 
selected by a majority of the police officers of the police 
department of a political subdivision as the exclusive bargaining 
agent for the police officers of that department unless a majority 
of the police officers withdraw the recognition.
	(b)  In a county with a population of 1 million or more that 
is covered by Chapter 158, Subchapter B, Local Government Code, and 
adopted this act after January 1, 2004, the governing body of the 
county may at its discretion recognize a separate bargaining unit 
for peace officers holding a position being funded by the law 
enforcement budget of the Sheriff's Office and a separate 
bargaining unit for all other officers employed by the Sheriff's 
Office not funded by the law enforcement budget of the Sheriff's 
Office unless a majority of the bargaining unit withdraws the 
recognition.
	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.