BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 831

80R11577 MXM-D                                                                                     By: Raymond (Zaffirini)

Intergovernmental Relations

5/17/2007

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, counties with populations of 200,000 or more may create a county civil service system to include employees of the county. Recently, Webb County created a civil service commission; however, census data from years past renders the county ineligible to adopt a civil service system under current law.   

As proposed, H.B. 831 lowers the population requirement from 200,000 to 190,000 to establish a civil service system. This would allow Webb County and similarly populous counties to be eligible to create a civil service system.

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.  Section 158.001(3), Local Government Code, is amended to redefine "department."

SECTION 2. Amends Section 158.002, Local Government Code, to decrease from 200,000 or more to 190,000 or more the required population of a county that is authorized to create a county civil service system to include certain employees of the county.

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 158.0025(a), Local Government Code, to provide that this section applies only to a county with a population of 190,000 or more, rather than 200,000 or more, other than certain counties.

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.